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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXK 



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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 



LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 



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MPEROR MAXIMILIAN 



Life Stories for Young people 



Maximilian in Mexico 

Translated from the German of 
J, Kemper 

BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Translator of " Memories" "Immensee" gtc. 
WITH THREE ILLUSTRATIONS 




GHIGAGO 

A. C. McCLURG & GO, 

191 1 



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Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 

1911 

Published September, 191 1 



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THE • PLIMPTON • PRESS 

[ W D-O ] 
NORWOOD • MASS • U • S • A 



Cf.A295758 



Ctansiator'sf |0teface 



THE life story of Maximilian First in Mexico 
is one of the saddest of tragedies. Admit- 
ting that he was in some respects a weak 
sovereign and incompetent for the task he under- 
took, the tragedy is none the less sad. The dreadful 
fate which overtook the Empress Carlotta only adds 
to the gloom of the situation, and, if all reports are 
true, serves to emphasize Mexican cruelty and 
treachery, for in official circles it is generally believed 
she was made insane by a poisonous herb secretly 
mixed with her drink. Maximilian himself was a 
gentleman in the best sense of the term, gentle, 
courteous, refined, and scholarly; unfitted for the 
position he held, inexperienced in political matters, 
and ignorant how to contend with guile and treachery 
of the basest kind. He was virtually forced to 
ascend the Mexican throne, and consented only when 
he was assured that the Mexican people had enthusi- 
astically elected him. Once there, he found himself 
the victim of treacherous plots and deadly hatred. 
4 [ V ] 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE 

He had but few friends upon whom he could rely, 
and they were unable to aid him in the hour of 
greatest danger. Louis Napoleon, who was chiefly 
instrumental in sending him there, violated his 
agreements, withdrew the French troops from 
Mexico, and abandoned him as a prey to his vin- 
dictive enemies, at whose hands he died like a gentle- 
man and a hero, leaving the Empress to suffer 
the tortures of living death in a European asylum. 
History recalls few sadder tragedies than the one 
contained in the story of Maximilian's three years 
in Mexico. 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, May, 191 1 



[vi] 



Contentfif 



Chapter Pagx 

"4 Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian . . ii 

-II The Mexican Empire 15 

^III Arrival of the Emperor in Mexico . 24 

IV Maximilian's First Measures ... 28 

V Church Affairs in Mexico . . '. . 37 

"VI Enemies Within and Without ... 40 

VII Bazaine's Position in Mexico ... 44 

A^III Fruits of the New Government . . 48 

^X Louis Napoleon's Attitude .... 52 

X The Empress' Journey to Europe . . 56 

XI Events in Mexico After the Departure 

of the Empress 62 

XII The Emperor at Orizaba 73 

XIII Departure of the French .... 79 

XIV The Siege of Queretaro 86 

^XV Downfall of the Mexican Empire . 99 

'XVI The Emperor's Imprisonment . . . 113 

XVII Death of Maximilian and His Generals 124 

XVIII Conclusion 129 

Appendix 133 



[vii] 



3Uu0tratton0 



Page 



Emperor Maximilian .... Frontispiece 

Empress Carlotta 56 

Last Moments of Emperor Maximilian . . 124 



[ix] 



flPajimiltan in SJ^t^ito 



Chapti 



■er I 
Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian 

FERDINAND MAXIMILIAN, born at Schon- 
brunn on the sixth of July, 1832, was the 
second son of Archduke Charles of Austria 
and the Archduchess Sophie of Bavaria, a clever 
and highly cultivated princess, under whose per- 
sonal supervision the young Archduke received a 
careful and thorough education, in which Count 
Bombelles, whose son afterward accompanied Maxi- 
milian to Mexico, also had an important share. 

From early childhood the prince showed that 
marked love of nature, and especially of the sea, 
which was so characteristic of his later years and 
which made his education for the navy — his des- 
tined career — an easy and pleasant task. To this 
chosen profession, indeed, he applied himself with 
such zeal and devotion that he may be regarded 
as the real founder of the Austrian navy. 

[II] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

His leisure hours were devoted to the study of 
the fine arts and to the practice of all sorts of ath- 
letic pursuits, in which he excelled, being tall a^d 
well built, and quick and elastic in all his motions. 

In 1850, upon the completion of his scientific 
studies, he made his first long cruise, to Greece and 
Smyrna, followed by voyages to Spain, Portugal, and 
Algiers. In 1853 he was made captain of a corvette, 
and a year later received the appointment of com- 
mander-in-chief of the navy, soon after which, 
escorted by a squadron of seventeen warships, he 
visited Greece, Crete, Egypt, and Palestine. 

The years 1856-57 were spent chiefly in European 
travel, during which time the Archduke made the 
acquaintance of his future wife, the Princess Car- 
lotta, daughter of King Leopold Second of Belgium, 
to whom he was married in 1857 and who proved so 
loyal and devoted a companion in joy and sorrow 
until overtaken by the tragic fate of which we shall 
hear later. Soon after his marriage, Maximilian, 
then only in his twenty-fifth year, was made gov- 
ernor-general of the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom 
by his brother, the Emperor Francis Joseph of 
Austria — an office which he held for two years, 
and which served in some measure as a preparation 

[12] 



ARCHDUKE FERDINAND 

for his subsequent mission in Mexico^ for, as gover- 
nor-general, he had many difficulties to contend 
with, even though they were of quite a different 
nature from those that afterward confronted him 
in America. 

The war that broke out in 1859 between Italy 
and Austria put an end to Maximilian's political 
career and he retired to the seclusion of Miramar, 
the beautiful palace erected at Trieste some years 
before. Here he lived quietly and peacefully, occu- 
pied with his favorite literary and artistic pursuits, 
and it was here that he wrote the "Sketches of 
Travel," afterward published; also the "Aphorisms," 
which speak the thoughts and aspirations of a great 
soul.j 

Maximilian has been called weak and irresolute, 
and in fact he did prove hopelessly unequal to the 
task that was set for him in Mexico — a task far 
less suited to his gentle, kindly nature than to the 
bolder character of his rival, Juarez, a man of 
quite another stamp, who hesitated at no means to 
attain his ends and for whom the high-minded 
Hapsburger was no match. That Maximilian made 
many grave errors cannot be denied, but his entire 
administration should not be condemned for that 

[13] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

reason. It is certain that he was inspired by the 
noblest aims and intentions, and had the Mexicans 
but realized this and given him their loyal support 
his plans might have been realized and ensured both 
the country's welfare and his own. 



[14 



Chapter II 
The Mexican Empire 



ifr^URING the Archduke's travels, in 1856, he 
J J had visited Paris and spent twelve days at 
St. Cloud with Napoleon Third and Eu- 
genie. He became much interested in the Emperor's 
ambitious schemes, while Napoleon and his wife on 
their part were so pleased with Maximilian's frank 
and manly character that by the time he took his 
departure the French sovereigns had already made 
plans for the future of their guest, the situation in 
Mexico offering a favorable opportunity. 

The better class of Mexicans were anxious for a 
strong hand to assume the reins of government and 
restore order to that distracted and wellnigh ruined 
land, and as Napoleon Third was then in control of 
affairs there, it was an easy matter for him to arouse 
the interest of the Mexicans in the young Archduke 
as their prospective ruler. The throne of Mexico 
therefore was duly offered to Maximilian, but he 
was at first unwilling to accept it. Fully acquainted 
with the disordered state of that country, there was 

[IS] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

little temptation for him to exchange the peaceful 
seclusion of Miramar for so doubtful a gift. Nego- 
tiations were carried on for eight months between 
Paris and Miramar before the Archduke would con- 
sent to accept the crown. At length, however, he 
agreed on condition that both France and England 
would guarantee their support in this enterprise. 
Further delays were caused by discussions between 
France, Spain, and England, but not until England 
and Spain had finally yielded and withdrawn all 
their troops from Mexico did Napoleon fully realize 
the complications of the situation there. 

Meanwhile Maximilian at Miramar became de- 
voted to the idea of being Emperor of Mexico, being 
principally actuated by the fact that his wife would 
be an Empress. Both applied themselves closely to 
the study not only of the geography but of the 
language and customs of the country, actively cor- 
responding at the same time with those who might 
be able to exert an influence upon the destinies of 
Mexico. 

The first public negotiations were conducted In 
person by Napoleon Third and the Emperor Fran- 
cis Joseph of Austria, the latter of whom sent his 
minister, Count Rechberg, to Miramar to discuss 

[i61 



THE MEXICAN EMPIRE 

the matter with his brother Maximilian. Both the 
Archduke and his wife attached great weight to the 
opinion of her father, King Leopold, who was well 
known as a shrewd and clear-headed thinker. He 
pointed out plainly the dangers and difficulties 
attendant on assuming the sovereignty of Mexico, 
but did not regard them as insurmountable, and his 
advice decided the question. Maximilian announced 
himself ready to accept the throne on certain con- 
ditions, the chief of which was that his choice 
as Emperor should be confirmed by a vote of the 
Mexican people. 

On the third of October, 1863, an embassy from 
Mexico arrived at Miramar with a formal offer of 
the crown. It was headed by Don Gutierrez de 
Estrada, who had labored for twenty years to restore 
a monarchy in Mexico. Maximilian's reply was as 
follows : 

" I am deeply moved by the wishes of the Mexican 
assembly. It is most flattering to our house that their 
choice should have fallen on a descendant of Charles 
the Fifth. Yet noble and lofty a mission as it is 
to establish the welfare and independence of Mexico, 
I agree with the Emperor Napoleon that the mon- 
archy can be restored on a firm and stable basis only 

[17] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

by the free consent of the people. My acceptance 
must therefore be conditional on that. On the other 
hand, it shall be my duty to secure the guarantees 
necessary to protect Mexico against the dangers 
that menace her honor and her liberties. If I suc- 
ceed in this and the vote of the people be in my 
favor, then I shall be ready, with the consent of my 
imperial brother, to accept the crown. Should 
Providence call me to this high mission, it is my 
firm intention, after the pacification of the country, 
to open the way for progress by granting a consti- 
tution and to make this fundamental law permanent 
by an oath. Only in this way can a new and truly 
national policy be created, by means of which all 
parties, forgetting their differences, may work with 
me to lift Mexico to an eminent place among the 
nations. Bring me this declaration, then, on the part 
of your fellow-citizens and, if possible, ascertain what 
form of government they desire." 

This was a frank and manly answer, and no doubt 
the emissaries of the Mexican people who carried it 
back across the Atlantic were equally honorable in 
their intentions. How the vote was really obtained, 
however, is told us by Montlong: 

At Monterey the French general, Jeanningres, 

[i8] 



THE MEXICAN EMPIRE 

summoned the most influential citizens and addressed 
them thus: "The Emperor of the French, always 
solicitous for the welfare of this unhappy country, has 
determxined to transform the Mexican republic into 
a great and prosperous empire, and in the interests 
of this undertaking has chosen for your Emperor 
one of the most liberal and enlightened princes in 
Europe, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria. But 
as Napoleon wishes him to be elected by general 
consent of the people I have summoned you here in 
order to receive your votes." Then with a threat- 
ening glance he added: "You accept, do you not, 
gentlemen, the prince chosen for you by the Emperor 
Napoleon.?" 

Intimidated by the General's manner and the 
ranks of soldiery behind him, all replied in 
the affirmative, whereupon Jeanningres, addressing 
the general staff officer who was to record the votes, 
ordered him: "Write, sir, that this city votes unani- 
mously for the Empire, and permit these gentlemen 
to sign it." 

The same method of procedure was enacted in 
every town. When the principal citizens of Potosi 
refused to sign a similar document, the ofl[icer in 
command caused them all to be imprisoned for 

[19] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

thirty-six hours till hunger forced them to yield. 
Thus by fraud the Empire was founded, as by 
treachery it fellj)both marked characteristics of this 
nation as we shall see later. 

Crhe way now seemed clear, but at the last moment 
an unforeseen difficulty arose. While the Archduke 
was making a round of farewell visits at various 
European courts, it was decided at Vienna to demand 
a renunciation of all rights of succession to the throne 
of Austria on the part of Maximilian and his possible 
descendants. Emperor Francis Joseph strongly op- 
posed this, justly maintaining that if such a step 
were considered necessary, it should not have been 
deferred till the last moment, but Count Rechberg 
and Baron Lichtenfels were firm. The former under- 
took to lay the matter before the Archduke on his 
return, but was so coldly received that he aban- 
doned any further attempt, while Maximilian him- 
self declared that had this point been presented to 
him earlier, negotiations with Mexico would have 
been broken off at once. This, of course, was now out 
of the question, and after much discussion he finally 
agreed to sign the act of renunciation, thus removing 
the last obstacle. 
On the tenth of April, 1864, a second embassy, 

[20] 



THE MEXICAN EMPIRE 

consisting of twenty distinguished Mexicans, again 
headed by Estrada, arrived at Miramar to perform 
the coronation ceremony. In his address, spoken 
in French, Don Gutierrez alluded, first of all, to the 
gratifying result of the popular vote. As to the 
method by which it had been secured the good man 
probably had as little knowledge as Maximilian him- 
self. He then recalled France's service to his native 
country, whose future prosperity he hoped would be 
assured under the new monarchy. Mexico grate- 
fully acknowledged the Archduke's self-sacrifice in 
accepting this difficult position and was ready to 
hail with joy her chosen sovereign, whose motto 
was, Justitia regnorum fundamentum. 

Maximilian's reply was in Spanish. He declared 
that since the two conditions required by him had 
been fulfilled, he was now able to redeem the promise 
given six months before and was ready to accept the 
offered crown. The oath was then administered. 
Maximilian swore to guard the liberties of the Mexi- 
can nation under all circumstances and to do all in 
his power for the welfare and prosperity of the 
people, after which Estrada swore allegiance in the 
name of Mexico and was decorated by his sovereign 
with the grand cross of the newly revived Guade- 

[21] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

loupe order. A triple "Viva" followed to the new 
Emperor and Empress in whose honor the imperial 
Mexican flag was hoisted on the tower of Miramar, 
amidst salvos from batteries and battle ships. A 
solemn Te Deum in the palace chapel concluded the 
ceremonies., 

On the same day the Emperor signed the impor- 
tant convention with Napoleon, known as the Treaty 
of Miramar, whereby it was agreed to reduce the 
French troops as soon as possible to 25,000, includ- 
ing the foreign legion. This body should evacuate 
the country as soon as forces could be organized to 
take their place, yet the foreign legion of 8000 was 
to remain, if required, for six years after the above 
withdrawal and be supported from this time by the 
Mexican government. The transport service for 
French military supplies must be paid by the same 
government with 400,000 francs for the round trip, 
likewise the cost of the French expedition, fixed at 
270,000,000 francs for the whole time, till July i, 
1864, with interest at three per cent per annum. 
After this date the expenses of the Mexican army 
rested with Mexico, which had also to give 1000 
francs for the maintenance of each French soldier, 
pay included. Against these sums the Mexican 

[22] 



THE MEXICAN EMPIRE 

government had to pay at once 66,000,000 francs in 
bonds of the late loan and 25,000,000 francs in 
specie annually. A mixed commission of three 
Frenchmen and three Mexicans was to meet at 
Mexico within three months to adjust the claims of 
French citizens. All Mexican prisoners of war held 
by the French were to be released as soon as Maxi- 
milian entered his States. In addition to this, 
there were three secret clauses, by utilizing which 
France afterward, and not without some show of 
reason, attempted to extricate herself from her dan- 
gerous position. / 



[23] 



Chapter III 
Arrival of the Emperor in Mexico 

ON the tenth of April, 1864, the die was cast 
for Archduke MaximiUan and Carlotta. On 
the fourteenth, the day set for departure, 
all was bustle and confusion at Miramar, usually so 
peaceful. The harbor of Trieste was filled with 
vessels, large and small, and, anchored at some dis- 
tance from shore, lay the Novara, the Austrian war- 
/ ship that was to convey the imperial pair to Mexico. 
Little did any one then suspect that this same 
vessel was so soon to bring back the body of Maxi- 
milian, cruelly murdered by Mexican rebels! To-day 
all was joyous anticipation. Ih gayly decorated 
barge carried the Emperor and Empress out to the 
Novara. Showers of blossoms were flung after them 
as they left the shore, lined with thousands of spec- 
tators, and floated gently out upon the blue waves 
of the Adriatic. Cannon thundered a farewell. 
Maximilian looked for the last time upon his native 
shores. 

[24] 



ARRIVAL OF THE EMPEROR 

Two nights later the travellers rounded the south- 
ernmost point of Italy, and on the eighteenth 
reached Civita Vecchia where they landed and were 
met by the French and Italian ambassadors, envoys 
from Belgium and Austria, and the Cardinals sent 
by Pope Pius Ninth to welcome Maximilian. A spe- 
cial train was waiting to convey the entire party 
to Rome where, on the nineteenth of April, the 
Emperor had an audience with the Pope. Church 
affairs in Mexico had been completely demoralized 
by Juarez, and one of the Emperor's chief tasks was 
to restore order and provide for the religious needs 
of his people. The following day Pope Pius Ninth 
returned the visit at the Palazzo Marescotti, after 
which the imperial party returned to Civita Vecchia, 
where they again boarded the Novara and resumed 
their voyage. At Gibraltar another stop of two 
days was made, and on the twenty-eighth of May 
the Novara anchored before the city of Vera Cruz. 
The goal was reached — but what of Maximilian's 
reception by the people of Mexico who had chosen 
him as their sovereign by a unanimous vote.^ ' . 

Although the French frigate Themis, which es- 
corted the Novara across the Atlantic, had hastened 
on in advance to notify the city of the Emperor's 

[25] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

arrival, there was no commotion in the harbor. No 
flags were flying, no guns roared a welcome, no one 
was waiting to receive him. A feeling of uneasiness 
pervaded the Emperor's household, but Maximilian 
himself made no comment. After a long delay 
the commander-in-chief of the French fleet. Rear- 
admiral Bosse, and his adjutant finally made their 
appearance, though even then, according to the 
Countess Kollowitz, their greeting was none too 
warm. Quite different, however, was the Emperor's 
reception in the towns between Vera Cruz and 
Mexico; his journey to the capital was like a tri- 
umphal progress. 

Thus did Maximilian enter the land that was 
henceforth to claim his whole attention and best 
endeavor. For this indifferent and ungrateful people 
he had undertaken the Herculean task of regenerat- 
ing a country wasted by forty years of civil warfare; 
regulating a society demoralized by anarchy; restor- 
ing national prosperity; reviving industries; and 
reconciling to law and order a people to whom out- 
lawry and robbery had become second nature. 
The army must be reorganized, the land rid of 
marauders, contending factions appeased and made 
to work together for the common good. The Church 

,.[26] 



ARRIVAL OF THE EMPEROR 

must be placed once more on a settled basis, new 
channels of trade established, and the whole national 
standard of civilization raised. These were surely 
problems to daunt the bravest! Well may Maxi- 
milian have hesitated long before accepting such 
responsibilities, yet with heroic self-sacrifice the 
young Emperor set himself to this stupendous work. 
That he failed was no doubt due partly to his unfit- 
ness for the task, but more to the insuperable ob- 
stacles that loomed before and finally crushed the 
noble Hapsburger. 



[27] 



Chapter IV 
Maximilian' s First Measures 



ONE of the first necessities that confronted 
Maximilian in the execution of his mission 
was the estabHshment of diplomatic rela- 
tions with the world. The courts of Vienna, Rome, 
Paris, and Brussels had been informed at once of his 
acceptance of the throne of Mexico. It now re- 
mained to notify the remaining powers of this event. 
A decree was issued on the twenty-first of June, 
1864, empowering the foreign office to make the 
necessary arrangements. By the end of the year 
Mexico had been recognized as an Empire by Russia, 
Sweden, Turkey, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Italy, 
France, and England, also by the German Confedera- 
tion and the Shah of Persia. Far more valuable to 
the new monarchy would have been its recognition 
by the United States, but the White House at Wash- 
ington still looked upon Juarez as President of 
Mexico, as did its smaller and less important 
neighbors on the south, the republics of Guatemala, 



FIRST MEASURES 



Honduras, Nicaragua, San Salvador, and Costa Rica. 
Thus the Empire was surrounded by hostile coun- 
tries^ while its only ally in America, the EmperoK 
Don Pedro Second of Brazil, could be of little use. 
Maximilian appointed the advocate Don Jose 
Ramirez as minister of foreign affair^) — a man con- 
cerning whom opinion is divided. ^ There can be no 
question, however, as to his ability and his loyalty 
to Maximilian, to whom he proved a valuable coun- 
sellor, although the Emperor unfortunately did not 
always follow his advice. Maximilian took no fur- 
ther action in governmental affairs until he had 
gained a more intimate knowledge of the country. 
Though well versed in the language and history of 
Mexico as well as its political complications, he 
discovered at once the necessity of a personal 
acquaintance with the various portions of his new 
realm and determined to make a tour of those 
provinces loyal to him.) Meanwhile he devoted 
himself to learning the needs of his people. With 
this object in view he spent much time walking 
about the streets of the capital or visiting various 
public and charitable institutions. The Empress 
was her husband's constant companion, sharing all 
his cares and interests, and although Maximihan did 

[29] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

not always agree with her opinions, her clever pen, 
her quick wit, and cultivated mind often proved of 
great help to him. 

(He soon discovered many evils the existence of 
which he had not suspected. The Mexican is pro- 
fuse in promises which are never kept, and Maxi- 
milian had daily proof of this national characteristic. 
In spite of his personal charm and kindness the 
French officers kept jealously aloof from him, regard- 
ing themselves as slighted in the distribution of 
orders. The clergy, disappointed that the Church 
property confiscated by Juarez had not been imme- 
diately restored to them, were dissatisfied with the 
new government, while the republicans under Juarez 
refused, of course, to acknowledge the Empire.) 

The accusation made by these malcontents that 
Maximilian did not attempt to improve conditions 
was entirely unjustified, however. Few that fol- 
lowed his career realized how diligently and self- 
sacrificingly he labored for that end. That the 
restoration of order must be gradually accomplished 
was self-evident. Realizing that drastic measures 
were necessary at many points in the affairs of 
state, he was forced to take time for observation 
and investigation before attempting any change. 

[30] 



FIRST MEASURES 



Many evils had to be endured temporarily before 
any radical changes could be made, and he had also 
to consult the opinions of his advisers, whether in 
accordance with his own or not. 

vHis first attention was devoted to the regulation 
of military and financial matters. A commission, 
headed by General Bazaine, commander-in-chief of 
the French troops, was appointed to meet on the 
fourteenth of July to consider the reorganization of 
the army. The relations between Maximilian and 
this officer had been none too friendly from the 
first. Bazaine considered himself his own master 
and troubled himself little as to the Emperor's 
views. In justice to Napoleon Third, however, it 
must be said that he seems to have been very im- 
perfectly informed as to the actions and practices 
of his generals in Mexico.' All correspondence with 
France had to pass through the hands of Bazaine 
or his subordinates, who could easily color reports 
to suit themselves. On the fifteenth of July a 
commission, presided over by Velasquez de Leon, 
and consisting of landed proprietors, merchants, 
manufacturers, and mine owners, met to discuss the 
regulation of financial affairs. 

^rom the first Maximilian exerted himself to do 

[31] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

away with antiquated customs, and as early as the 
sixteenth of July a decree was issued requiring all 
officers of justice to be at their posts from nine to 
twelve in the morning and shortening their annual 
leave of absence from three months to six weeks, an 
innovation that met with small favor from the 
Mexicans, as may be imagined. 

On the tenth of August the Emperor set out 
upon his tour into the interior, the government 
during his absence being left in charge of the Em- 
pressw He was accompanied by his life-long friend, 
Count Bombelles, his secretary, Iglesias, Privy Coun- 
cillor Scherzenlechner, and the Lord Chamberlain 
Felipe Raygosa. Originally planned for four weeks, 
the journey extended over three months. lA proc- 
lamation had been issued by Velasquez de Leon, 
shortly before the Emperor's departure, announcing 
his tour and forbidding any state receptions or enter- 
tainments in order to spare expense to the people, 
impoverished by years of civil strife. In spite of 
this prohibition, however, magnificent triumphal 
arches were erected in many places in honor of the 
Emperor, who was welcomed with great enthusiasm 
by the populace, the Indians, in particular, gathering 
in crowds everywhere to gaze at their new sovereign.^ 

[32] 



FIRST MEASURES 



(On the seventeenth of August Maximilian arrived 
at Queretaro where he was received with great 
enthusiasm and remained for several days, being 
royally entertained.) ' Little did any of those who 
joined in the festivities suspect that in this very 
town, only three years later, the Emperor was to 
lay down his life for Mexico! From there he went 
on to Celaya which was reached a week later. In 
many places through which they passed evidences 
were visible of the effects of the famine that existed 
in the interior of the country, and where the suffering 
was greatest Maximilian distributed considerable 
sums of money from his own purse. At Trapuato 
the Emperor was suddenly seized with an attack 
of quinsy which confined him to his bed for two 
weeks. This delay, together with other unforeseen 
occurrences in the capital, obliged him to abandon 
the rest of his journey, and the party returned to 
Mexico, though by a different route, arriving on the 
thirtieth of October.) 

(This tour of Maximilian's had proved a con- 
tinuous ovation, but how much of the popular en- 
thusiasm was due to his personality rather than to 
allegiance to him as a sovereign is a question. He 
had shown himself everywhere most gracious and 

[33] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

kindly, granting audiences to persons of all classes 
with a fearlessness which, considering the state of 
the country, must have commanded the respect even 
of his enemies. Whether he allowed himself to be 
deceived by these demonstrations is uncertain. At 
all events he returned well content with the results 
of his journey and full of hope for the future. That 
many of the great changes planned by him for the 
benefit of the people were never put into execution 
was not altogether his fault. To carry out any 
thorough system of reform large sums of money 
are needed, and the treasury was exhausted.^J 

'Maximilian's first act after his return was to form 
a ministry. During his travels he had met many 
able and patriotic Mexicans who, he fancied, would 
be of great assistance to him in his projected reforms, 
and from these he chose his ministers exclusively, 
though doubtless well aware that in some cases the 
positions would have been better filled by Aus- 
trians, Belgians, or Frenchmen. When reminded of 
this by his friends, however, he would say, *'Have 
patience! When the country learns that Mexican 
ministers are good-for-nothing, I may be justified in 
appointing others, and my people can then have 
nothing to reproach me with." fThis was no doubt 
l34] . 



FIRST MEASURES 



wise on the Emperor's part. The appointment of 
foreigners would have excited suspicion if not rebel- 
lion at once among the excitable and distrustful 
Mexicans.) 

Qn his tour Maximilian had discovered that the 
country's most pressing need was the revival of 
commerce. New channels of trade must be created, 
and for this purpose the laying out of highways 
and the building of bridges was ordered. Robles, 
minister of public works, was commissioned to build 
a railroad between Queretaro and Guanajuato, an 
undertaking which was never carried out, however. 
A railroad from Mexico to Vera Cruz was also 
planned, the execution of which was entrusted to 
an English company, and three different companies 
received permission to run steamship lines between 
the more important seaports of the country. To 
exterminate the robber bands and secure safety 
for the life and property of the people, a much 
needed system of militia was instituted on the 
seventh of November, 1864. At the same time 
the Emperor urged most strictly upon all magis- 
trates of the various provinces the following in- 
junctions: preservation of law and order, firm 
administration of justice, supervision of the press, 

[35] 



< 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

construction and maintenance of roads, extermina- 
tion of marauders and outlaws, sanitation, improve- 
ments in agriculture and the breeding of cattle, 
conservation of forests, etc.y 

All this proves the loftiness of Maximilian's aims 
— nor were his hands idle as some of his enemies 
maliciously maintained. Could he but have had 
the necessary support and cooperation, conditions 
in that unfortunate country must soon have im- 
proved. But with only the fickle and treacherous 
Mexicans to depend upon, all these reforms were of 
brief duration — a mere ripple on the stream. 



[36] 



Chapter V 
Church Affairs in Mexico 



THE most difficult problem now awaiting solu- 
tion was the religious situation in Mexico. 
Forty years of internal strife and anarchy 
had inevitably lowered the standards of the people 
and weakened their sense of right and wrong, as was 
proved by Juarez's treatment of Church property. 
The claim of the enemies of the Catholic Church, 
however, that the priesthood was responsible for 
this moral degradation, is entirely without founda- 
tion. All reports agree that the priests were then, 
as now, the friends and guardians of the Indians. 
Many of the stanchest supporters of Mexican inde- 
pendence — among them Hidalgo, Morelos, and 
Guerrero — belonged to the clerical party, and even 
at the present day a large part of the minor clergy 
are Indians. 

Accounts vary as to the value of the Church's 
property in Mexico at that time, but it is a matter 
of little importance, since it had been seized and 

[37] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

disposed of by Juarez and his followers long before 
Maximilian's arrival. Indeed, this had been one of 
the chief causes for the latter's hesitation in accept- 
ing the throne. 

The only possible method of dealing with this 
knotty question seemed to be that of direct negotia- 
tion with the papal chair, and a special envoy was 
sent to Mexico by Pope Pius Ninth for this purpose. 
The nuncio, Monsignore Meglia, was received by 
Maximilian with every mark of honor and escorted 
in state to the capital where a round of festivities 
ensued, after which the Emperor and his guest 
devoted themselves to the matter in hand. Nine 
points were submitted by Maximilian and his min- 
isters for debate, the chief of which may be briefly 
stated as follows: Free observance of all religions in 
Mexico, in so far as they did not violate the laws 
of the country; all expenses of Catholic worship to 
be borne by the State; no taxes nor gratuities of any 
kind to be paid to the clergy by the people; cession 
by the Church of all possessions declared to be 
national property; enjoyment by the Emperor of all 
rights possessed by his predecessors, the Kings of 
Spain, in Mexico; a mutual agreement to exist 
between the Pope and the Emperor to resist aggres- 

[38] 



CHURCH AFFAIRS IN MEXICO 

sion on the part of any or all religious orders in 
Mexico; existing communities to remain on condi- 
tion that no more novices be received until con- 
ditions were settled. 

The delicate nature of these matters may readily 
be perceived as well as the difficulty of their settle- 
ment. Negotiations, in fact, were soon broken off 
and an uncomfortable open rupture occurred between 
the Emperor's ministers and Monsignore Meglia, 
who left the capital with his suite on the twenty- 
seventh of May, and returned to Rome without 
having accomplished his mission. 



[39 



Chapter VI 
Enemies Within and Without 



MAXIMILIAN'S failure to settle this question, 
so important to Mexico, not only was of 
the greatest detriment to the restoration 
of peace and order, but also lost him the sympathies 
of the clerical party, already averse to the new 
sovereignty. 

The unsettled condition of the country has been 
already alluded to. It is impossible for peaceful 
industries to flourish where the lives and property 
of citizens are in constant danger.^ The path of out- 
lawry and anarchy is marked only by mouldering 
corpses and smoking ruins. Some idea of the state 
of things may be obtained from a report sent by 
the prefect of Zamora to his chief, Antonio Moral, 
on the ninth of March, 1865 : 

"This prefecture has learned through spies and 
other sources of information that the robber chiefs 
Regules, Salazar, Egiulus, and others are assembHng 
their bands in large numbers for attack. Should 

I40] 



ENEMIES 



the troops stationed at Mazamitla and Uruapan be 
withdrawn, the bandits will capture this town with- 
out a doubt, an event which would be followed by 
the most serious consequences. I must add that all 
towns in the south of this department are in the 
same danger, and earnestly implore aid. Pazcuaro 
is menaced by more than 1400 outlaws. Unless 
General Neigre, who has been informed of the dan- 
ger, speedily sends assistance, it will fall into their 
hands and a terrible catastrophe be precipitated." 

On the tenth of May, 1865, the Mexican com- 
mander-in-chief, Vicente Rosas, writes to the min- 
ister of war: 

"Matters are bad and grow worse daily. Besides 
the bands of Regules and Pueblita, several others 
are roving about in this vicinity, plundering and 
burning haciendas. Unless something can be done 
to remedy affairs, this whole department will be 
lost." 

('The country's most serious enemy, however, was 
its ex-President, Benito Juarez.^ Born about 1807, 
in the State of Oaxaca, of an Indian family, claim- 
ing descent from Zapotekos, Juarez's childhood was 
spent in extreme poverty. With a natural thirst 
for knowledge, he eagerly availed himself of all the 

[41] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

opportunities for learning that came within his 
reach, and, finally succeeding in obtaining some 
education, he determined to devote himself to the 
study of law. A wealthy Indian merchant, named 
Don Jose Hernandez, had taken him into his service 
as errand-boy from which position he soon rose to 
a clerkship, and afterward was admitted to the bar 
with the dignity of Doctor of Laws. Later he was 
elected to the Vice-Presidency under Comonfort, 
upon whose resignation, in 1858, Juarez became 
President of Mexico. 

When MaximiUan assumed the throne, Juarez's 
term of office had nearly expired (November 30, 
1864). He would have been wise therefore to recog- 
nize the Empire, under which he might have looked 
to hold some important position. MaximiHan, in- 
deed, did make overtures to the ex-President by 
offering him a place in the cabinet, but Juarez coldly 
declined, preferring to remain at the head of the 
revolutionists, who kept Mexico in a state of 
turmoil and effectually prevented any peaceful de- 
velopment of that distracted country. 

The position taken by the United States toward 
the new Empire has already been alluded to. On 
the fourth of April, 1864, Congress adopted a resolu- 

[42] 



ENEMIES 



tion declaring the unwillingness of the United States 
tacitly to appear before the world as an indifferent 
spectator of the deplorable events then taking place 
in Mexico, and its refusal to recognize a monarchical 
government founded on the ruins of an American 
repubUc and under the protection of a European 
power. ) 

Much to his regret, therefore, Maximilian was 
forced to abandon all thought of an embassy at 
Washington. Realizing fully how great an advan- 
tage recognition by the United States would have 
been to the Empire, both he and his ministers had 
used every effort to estabhsh friendly relations be- 
tween the two governments. (The White House, 
-however, still continued to recognize Juarez and his 
ambassador, Romero, a crafty official who suc- 
ceeded, not only in establishing recruiting offices for 
his master in some of the large cities of the United 
States, but in winning over many of the newspapers 
also to his side. 



43 



Chapter VII 
Bazaines Position in Mexico 



THE attitude taken by the French in Mexico 
has already been alluded to. Bazaine in 
particular seems from the first to have been 
little affected by the Emperor's good example. He 
was well aware of France's incalculable services to 
Mexico, and that it was French bayonets chiefly 
which still maintained some show of order in the 
country. As for Maximilian, while thoroughly ap- 
preciating Bazaine's ability, he could not but regard 
him as the man of whose will he was more or less 
at the mercy, and felt most keenly the arbitrary 
acts of the Marshal and his underlings, of which the 
following examples will serve as illustrations. 

In 1864 the French general, Briancourt, had a 
Mexican colonel arrested and forced him to sweep 
the streets for two hours every day. Indignant at 
this outrage, some ladies of the town brought 
wreaths of flowers to the colonel as he swept, where- 
upon Briancourt had bills posted proclaiming that in 
the future any one who committed this offence should 

[441 



BAZAINE'S POSITION 

share the prisoner's sentence. After being humili- 
ated in this way for ten days, the imperial officer was 
summoned before Briancourt, who dismissed him 
with the words: "Go where you choose now — over 
to the republicans — for all I care!" And the 
colonel actually did join the Emperor's enemies, with 
several other officers. 

A French officer, meeting one of his comrades 
who had served through a campaign under Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Ornano, congratulated him on having 
been one of those receiving decorations for bravery. 
"You do me an injustice!" replied the other. "We 
invariably turned our backs upon the enemy and 
if Ornano singled me out in his report, it was only 
through fear lest I might betray how it was falsified. 
Let me tell you just one incident of this honorable 
campaign. As we were approaching the village of 
San Francisco, Ornano sent a party of cavalry in 
advance to reconnoitre. A fifteen-year-old boy, at- 
tracted by the sound of riders, came to the door of 
his house to see who they were, and, as he galloped 
by, the leader of the patrol split the poor child's 
skull with one stroke of his sabre, just as his mother 
was about to draw him back into the house. Truly 
a heroic deed!" 

[45] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

These examples will suffice to prove with what 
contempt the French regarded the Mexicans and 
how the officers especially lost no opportunity of 
turning the Emperor's subjects against him, even 
while they themselves were still supposed to be in 
Maximilian's service. It would be unjust, however, 
to accuse the whole army of this treacherous be- 
havior, nor can Napoleon Third be held responsible 
for it. He was a warm personal friend of Maxi- 
milian in the first place, and it seems reasonable to 
assume that he was ignorant of such conduct on the 
part of Bazaine or he would have recalled him and 
sent some one else in his place. 

On the third of October, 1865, a report having 
been generally circulated that Juarez had fled from 
Mexico and taken refuge in Texas, the Emperor 
issued a decree for which he has been severely criti- 
cised. It ran in substance as follows: All persons 
belonging to armed bands or companies, poHtical or 
otherwise, not lawfully authorized, under whatever 
appellation or for whatever purpose, shall be tried 
by court-martial, and if found guilty shall be con- 
demned to death and executed within twenty-four 
hours from the date of sentence. 

Bazaine is believed by some to have been the real 

[46] 



BAZAINE'S POSITION 

author of this edict, which was aimed at the destruc- 
tion of the robber bands that infested the country, 
but by authority of which MaximiHan himself was 
afterward sentenced to death by Juarez. As, how- 
ever, it was signed by all Maximihan's liberal 
ministers it seems more probable that they were 
responsible for a decree so little in accordance with 
his kindly nature. 

Whether or no Bazaine had any share in the fram- 
ing of this edict, he certainly did all in his power to 
further its execution, as appears from a confidential 
message to his generals sent with a copy of the de- 
cree. He concludes, "You are hereby commanded 
to notify the troops under your orders that no more 
prisoners are to be taken. All individuals found 
under arms, irrespective of person, are to be shot 
on sight. In future there will be no more exchange 
of prisoners; on both sides, it is kill or be killed." 

By these cruel means he hoped to prejudice the 
people against their sovereign, thereby furthering 
his own ambitious schemes for becoming President 
of Mexico himself, schemes which were destined 
never to be realized, however. 



[47] 



Chapter VIII 
Fruits of the New Government 

WE have seen from the preceding chapters 
what the state of affairs in Mexico was 
when MaximiHan assumed the govern- 
ment. By the beginning of the second year of the 
Empire matters had already materially changed. 
Most of the country folk had returned to their farms, 
and city merchants who dealt in agricultural imple- 
ments soon saw their stock disappear, and were 
forced to order fresh supplies. This led to a steady 
commercial intercourse with the United States which 
greatly increased after the close of the Civil Wa^ 
In the Spring of 1865 the duties to Mexico from New 
York alone amounted to 1,700,000 pesos in a single 
week. 'Trade with the West Indies, South America, 
and Europe was also extensive. Merchants who 
at first had been obliged to purchase on credit, 
owing to the prevailing lack of funds, were by 
this time able to pay cash for goods.' This was 

[48] 



THE NEW GOVERNMENT 

certainly one good result of the new government, 
as must have been recognized by all public-minded 
Mexicans. 

^ith the prospect of profit and an assured market, 
trades and crafts also revived. Hundreds of youths, 
who had been torn from their peaceful occupations 
and forced to join the revolutionist bands, returned 
to their apprenticeships. Channels of trade were 
improved. A regular Hne of mail steamships was 
established in the Gulf of Mexico, and intercourse 
was resumed with all Pacific ports. Fine steamers 
made monthly trips from San Francisco to La Paz, 
Guaymas, and Mazatlan, and twice a month from 
Guaymas to Acapulco. Construction was begun on 
the railroad between Vera Cruz and the capital, 
though it was afterward suspended. A telegraph 
line was built from Mexico to San Luis Potosi. The 
national finances were also much improved. Cus- 
toms receipts steadily increased and the mints coined 
more dollars than ever before, though still bearing 
the stamp of the Republic.^ 

These were some of the happy results of the new 
administration. That they were of but brief dura- 
tion was not the fault of the government nor yet of 
the Emperor, but of Juarez who, still passing as 

[49] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

President, succeeded only too well in his schemes for 
undermining the Empire. 

With increasing prosperity came a revival of 
various sports and amusements, of which the Mexi- 
can people are naturally so fond. Early in the year 
1865 most of the European ambassadors arrived 
with their suites, and a series of splendid entertain- 
ments followed at the imperial court. ' Later the 
marriage of Marshal Bazaine to the seventeen-year- 
old niece of General Lopez furnished occasion for 
more festivities. These diversions, however, did 
not cause the Emperor to slacken his labors for the 
improvement of the country. On the third of March, 
1865, he had the Empire divided into fifty depart- 
ments and revived the so-called "Indian Council," 
which had existed in the days of Spanish sovereignty, 
placing at its head the advocate, Faustin Chimal- 
popoca, a pure Aztec. The Indians still formed the 
larger part of the population of Mexico in spite of 
the efforts of the Republic to enslave and crush them. 
Realizing the importance of this class of people, 
Maximilian took the greatest interest in their pro- 
tection and welfare, while they in turn remained 
loyal to him to the last. 

On the tenth of April, 1865, the anniversary of 

[50] 



THE NEW GOVERNMENT 

his acceptance of the crown, Maximihan published 
an imperial statute declaring that, as a number of 
provinces still remained hostile to the Empire, he 
did not deem it wise as yet to introduce popular 
representation, but promised to do so as soon as 
the national disturbances were settled. Besides the 
Guadeloupe order, revived in 1863, and the order 
of the Mexican Eagle, founded in January, 1865, ^ 
special order for women, that of San Carlos, was 
instituted, April tenth, by the joint sovereigns. An- 
other important task was the reorganization of the 
army. Most of the Mexican officers at that time 
were quite useless and must be got rid of. To 
replace these and furnish a supply of efficient native 
officers, Maximihan opened the military school at 
Chapultepec. 



[51 



Chapter IX 
Louis Napoleotis Attitude 



VTX THEN Maximilian ascended the throne of 
y Y Mexico, the Civil War was still raging in 
the United States, and the White House 
had no time to care for the aifairs of its southern 
neighbor. Although from the first the United States 
had refused to recognize the Empire, its attitude had 
been neutral rather than actually hostile, and Napo- 
leon was counting on an indefinite continuation of 
the war for the furtherance of his plans./ The end 
came sooner than was expected, however. After a 
bitter struggle the Southern States yielded to the 
North, and this materially changed the situation in 
Mexico. Juarez was now not only regarded as 
President, but furnished with active support, with- 
out which he would doubtless have been forced to 
give up the struggle. He hovered on the border, 
now on one side of the line, now on the other, escap- 
ing into Texas when the enemy was close at his 
heels, and remaining there in safety until the danger 

[52] 



LOUIS NAPOLEON'S ATTITUDE 

was passed, then crossing back into Mexico again, 
where, reinforced by volunteers from the north, he 
won frequent victories over the imperial troops and 
constantly gained ground. 

Napoleon's position was likewise changed. In a 
speech delivered from the throne on the twenty- 
second of January, 1866, he declared: 

"In Mexico the government founded by the 
people continues to 'thrive. The rebels, overpow- 
ered and dispersed, have no longer any leaders. 
The national troops have proved their valor and the 
country has furnished security for order and safety 
in the development of resources which have made 
its commerce worth millions with France alone. 
Our enterprise therefore is progressing most success- 
fully, as I last year expressed the hope that it would. 
As to the recall of our troops I have come to an 
understanding with Emperor Maximilian, whereby 
their withdrawal may be accomplished without 
danger to the interests of France, for the protection 
of which in that distant country we have pledged 
ourselves. Any objections raised by the United 
States to the continued presence of our troops in 
Mexico will be removed, I feel sure, by the justice 
of our explanations. The American people will 

[ S3 ] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

perceive that an enterprise in which we sought their 
aid cannot be contrary to their interests. Two 
nations, equally jealous of their rights, must natu- 
rally resent any step that might jeopardize their 
honor or their dignity." 

Plausible and reassuring as this sounds, it never- 
theless betrays two facts: France's fear of being 
drawn into war with the United States if she con- 
tinued to maintain an army on American soil, and 
Napoleon's desire to concihate that country even at 
the cost of violating the Treaty of Miramar. True, 
there may have been something in the secret articles 
added to this document which justified Napoleon's 
methods, while on the other hand it is evident that 
Maximilian was far from opposing the recall of 
Bazaine, nor did he object to the gradual with- 
drawal of the French troops, as may be seen from 
the following announcement that appeared in the 
Monitor: 

"In pursuance to an agreement between M. Dano, 
the French ambassador. His Excellency Marshal 
Bazaine, and the Mexican government, the Em- 
peror has ordered that the French troops shall leave 
Mexico in three detachments: the first to go in 
November, 1866, the second in March, 1867, the 

[54] 



LOUIS NAPOLEON'S ATTITUDE 

third in the following November. Negotiations 
between the two governments have also begun to 
substitute those articles of the Treaty of Miramar re- 
lating to finance, new stipulations whereby France's 
indebtedness and the interest of the loan guaranteed 
by her to Mexico shall be assured." 

The United States declared itself satisfied with 
these assurances and continued to assist Juarez in 
his attempts to undermine the government. 

The year 1866, which thus began so peacefully on 
paper at a time when there was little peace in 
the air, either in Europe or America, was to prove 
an eventful one for Maximilian, and hastened 
with giant strides the downfall of the Mexican 
Empire. 



[55] 



Chapter X 
The Empress' 'Journey to Europe 

ON the seventh of July, 1866, the following 
unexpected announcement appeared in one 
of the Mexican journals: "Her Majesty, the 
Empress, leaves to-morrow for Europe, where she is 
to arrange the settlement of various matters of 
Mexican as well as international import. No greater 
proof of patriotism and self-denial could be furnished 
on the part of our sovereign than the assumption of 
this mission, the more so as the Empress sails from 
Vera Cruz, where yellow fever is so prevalent at this 
season. We publish this in order that the people 
may know ^the real purpose of Her Majesty's 
journey." 

The Empress Carlotta's sudden departure aroused 
great excitement. It was generally felt, and not 
without reason, that such a step must have been 
due to weighty causes, the issue of which it was at 
that time impossible to foresee. For Maximilian it 
marked a turning-point in his career. It was as if 

[56] 









1 


r ■•^"' ^^^ 


1 


1 







E 



M PRESS CARLOTTA 



THE EMPRESS' JOURNEY 

with the departure of his guardian angel, Fortune 
too had forsaken him and abandoned him to his 
fate. '! 

Unexpectedly and most uncomfortably for Napo- 
leon, Carlotta arrived at St. Nazaire on the eighth 
of August by the packet-boat, Empress Eugenie. She 
was met by the Mexican ambassador, Almonte, and 
his wife, who travelled with her to Paris without 
delay. Metternich, the Austrian ambassador, was 
awaiting her at the Grand Hotel, and on the eleventh 
of August she had a long interview with Napoleon 
at St. Cloud. Accounts vary as to what actually 
transpired on this memorable occasion, but accord- 
ing to Hellwald, who seems a reliable authority, 
three points were discussed. The first related to 
the postponement of the withdrawal of the first 
detachment of French troops from November, 1866, 
to April, 1867, by which time Maximilian hoped to 
have his own army so strengthened that he could 
better spare the French. Juarez had been making 
such headway in the north that the Emperor did 
not dare as yet to dispense with his allies. Next 
the Empress desired that Bazaine should be imme- 
diately recalled and General Donay sent out in his 
place, a request not difiicult to ^nderstand consider- 

[57] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

ing the many differences that had occurred between 
Maximilian and the Marshal. The third point con- 
cerned Mexico's ever empty exchequer. By the 
Treaty of Miramar Mexico had agreed to repay her 
financial obligations to France; but, as we have seen, 
she was by no means able to pay her debts or even 
the interest on them. 

In her first interview the Empress accomplished 
nothing. Napoleon was unwilling to defer the with- 
drawal of his troops for some months, for fear of 
giving offence to the government at Washington. 
As to the second point no agreement was arrived at, 
for Bazaine was not recalled. When he did leave 
Mexico at last, he not only took the entire army 
with him, but also induced the volunteers from 
Austria and Belgium to resign. As to a settlement 
of the Mexican debt, however, a separate treaty was 
concluded. 

On the twenty-second of August Empress Eugenie 
and Emperor Napoleon made a final visit to Empress 
Carlotta, who left Paris on the following day for 
Brussels. From there she went to Italy, and on the 
twenty-ninth arrived once more at Miramar where 
she had spent so many happy days. Another task 
now awaited her. As the negotiations between 

[58] 



THE EMPRESS' JOURNEY 

Maximilian's ministry and the papal nuncio con- 
cerning the religions situation in Mexico had been 
unsuccessful, Carlotta determined to try and settle 
the affair herself. On the twenty-fifth of Sep- 
tember, therefore, she arrived again in Rome with 
her suite and two days later had a long audience 
with the Pope. Soon after this she was suddenly 
taken ill. At first her attack was said to be only 
the result of the fatigues of her long journey and the 
change of climate, an explanation which seemed 
sufficiently plausible. The real nature of the illness 
could not be long concealed, however. The Em- 
press' mind had become totally deranged, and her 
malady was later pronounced incurable. Shocked 
as all Europe was by this dreadful news, what must 
have been its effect upon MaximiHan! How he 
received it, is told as follows by his own physician, 
Dr. Basch: 

"The Emperor at this time was living entirely 
secluded in the palace, only Herzfeld, the Minister 
of State, Father Fischer, the court chaplain, and 
myself being present at his table. There were no 
invited guests till the eighteenth of August, for the 
afternoon of which a large dinner was planned. 
That morning the Emperor held a council of state, 

[59] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

at the close of which I entered the imperial cab- 
inet. While I was present, two cable despatches 
arrived from Europe, at sight of which His Majesty- 
was visibly alarmed. His forebodings were well 
founded. The first was sent by Castello from 
Rome on the fifth of October, and read: 

"'Her Majesty, the Empress, has succumbed to 
the fatigues and difficulties of her mission, and must 
be taken to Miramar without delay, accompanied 
by her physicians.' 

"The other, dated the twelfth, was from Count 
Bombelles at Miramar, and contained the further 
information that all hope was not yet abandoned. 
Her Majesty, with her entire suite, was at Miramar, 
and a member of the household would follow at 
once with advices. Herzfeld opened the despatches 
and, unwilHng to break their contents too suddenly 
to the Emperor, pretended that he was unable to 
decipher them exactly, but reassured His Majesty 
by asserting that the news apparently referred to 
the illness of some one at Miramar, probably one of 
the Empress' ladies-in-waiting, Madame Bario, who 
was a Mexican. 

"The facts could not long be concealed, however, 
for the Emperor, suspecting that something was 

[60] 



THE EMPRESS' JOURNEY 

being withheld from him, insisted upon knowing the 
truth. 

"^I feel that something terrible has happened,' he 
declared. ^Tell me what it is, for I am consumed 
with anxiety.' 

"While Herzfeld was seemingly studying the 
despatches more closely, I retired to my apartment, 
but was soon summoned again by His Majesty. As 
I entered, he turned to me, tears streaming down 
his cheeks, and asked, 

"'Do you know who Dr. Riedel is in Vienna. f" 

"At the mention of this name, the truth flashed 
upon me. Herzfeld had disclosed the news, and 
much as I longed to spare the Emperor, I could not 
lie to him. 

"'He is the director of the Insane Asylum,' I was 
reluctantly forced to reply." 

These melancholy tidings only served to hasten 
the impending crisis. Already disheartened by 
repeated trials and disappointments, Maximilian 
now saw his last hope vanish, and felt himself de- 
serted by Providence. Indifferent to all that passed, 
his only thought seemed to be of hastening to his 
beloved wife and leaving behind him this ill-fated 
country to which she had been so cruelly sacrificed. 

[6i] 



Chapter XI 

'Events in Mexico after the Departure of 
the Empress 

TWO persons have already been mentioned who 
played an important part in the events of 
this history, Herzfeld, the Minister of State, 
and Father Fischer. Herzfeld was a German and 
devoted to the Emperor. Unfortunately Maxi- 
milian sent him back to Europe soon after this, 
thereby depriving himself of a valuable friend and 
adviser in his days of misfortune. Father Fischer 
was born in Wiirtemberg, of Protestant parents, and 
seems to have had rather an adventurous career. 
He came to America with a band of emigrants who 
settled in Texas, and went from there to California as 
a gold miner. Becoming a convert to Catholicism, 
he entered the Jesuit order, from which he was sub- 
sequently dismissed, for good and sufficient reasons, 
no doubt. The description of this man given by 
the Emperor's physician is far from flattering, but 
it is manifestly unjust to lay his faults at the door 

[62] 



EVENTS IN MEXICO 

of the much-abused order of Jesuits. A whole 
society cannot be held responsible for the deeds or 
misdeeds of a single member, still less when that 
member has ceased to be one. At all events Father 
Fischer belonged to the Emperor's closest circle of 
friends, another member of which was Professor 
Bilimek, whose acquaintance we shall make in the 
next chapter. This man was a scholar, absorbed in 
the study of the flowers and butterflies of Mexico 
and troubHng himself little with political affairs. ■ 

After the departure of the Empress matters went 
rapidly from bad to worse. In the north the follow- 
ers of Juarez had inflicted a series of defeats on the 
imperial troops and were steadily gaining ground, 
while in the capital the outlook was far from encour- 
aging. Maximilian had replaced two of his Mexican 
ministers with Frenchmen, Generals Osmont and 
Friant, but their attempts to remedy the situation 
were frustrated by the pride and jealousy of the 
Mexicans who bitterly resented the appointment of 
foreigners to these high positions. The United 
States, moreover, took exceptions to these appoint- 
ments as a violation of French neutrality and made 
a formal complaint to Napoleon, whereupon the 
following announcement appeared in the Monitor: 

[63] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

"On the twenty-sixth of July His Majesty, the 
Emperor of Mexico, issued a decree entrusting the 
portfoHo of war to General Osmont, Chief of Staff 
of the Expedition Corps, and that of finance to 
Friant, intendant-general of the army. As, how- 
ever, the military duties of these gentlemen, both 
holding important posts in an army still in the 
field, are irreconcilable with the responsibilities of 
their new positions, they have received no author- 
ization to accept these appointments." 

This plainly shows France's fear of the United 
States and her indifference to her engagements with 
Maximilian. A new ministry, therefore, had to be 
formed, in the selection of which Father Fischer's 
influence is said to have been largely responsible. 

As the prospects for a restoration of the Republic 
grew brighter, Juarez did not remain the only can- 
didate for the presidential chair, a certain Ortega 
and the former ex-President Santa Anna also ap- 
pearing as aspirants to the honor. The position of 
the imperial forces on the border soon became so 
unsafe that Maximilian was forced to abandon those 
districts to the revolutionists and withdraw his 
troops more into the interior. Even his attempt 
to keep the way to the coast open was not successful, 

[64] 



EVENTS IN MEXICO 



for the city of Xalapa, on the road to Vera Cruz, 
was besieged and captured by the rebels, thus cut- 
ting off communication between the capital and the 
coast, while many of the native soldiers deserted 
and went over to the enemy with their leaders. 
Even among the revolutionists, however, there were 
dissensions, the greater part of them supporting 
Juarez, others Ortega or Santa Anna. On one point 
only were they united, the downfall of the Empire 
and restoration of the Republic. 

Another incident occurred at this time which was 
well calculated to make Maximilian, already suffer- 
ing from an intermittent fever, caused by the climate, 
still more averse to remaining in Mexico. This was 
a conspiracy against his life, discovered by one of 
the town prefects. The plot, hatched by some of 
Santa Anna's guerilla followers, was to include the 
murder of the prefect himself by his secretary, a 
man from the lower classes whom he had befriended, 
to be followed by that of several other prominent 
personages. A closer investigation revealed that 
the Emperor's life also had been aimed at. 

Such were the people by whom Maximilian was 
surrounded, and such the treachery which he had 
constantly to deal with in his adopted country. 

[6s] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

On the afternoon of the day on which the two 
fatal despatches arrived in Mexico MaximiHan was 
taking his usual stroll on the flat roof of the palace 
with his physician, when he suddenly announced his 
intention of abandoning the country where he had 
met with such ingratitude, and asked his friend's 
advice as to the matter. 

"I do not see how it will be possible for Your 
Majesty to remain here," replied the doctor frankly. 

"Will it be attributed to the Empress' illness if 
I should leave?" he then inquired. 

"That certainly is reason enough," returned the 
other. "Besides, Europe must recognize that Your 
Majesty is no longer bound to remain in Mexico 
after France's violation of her contracts." 

"What do you suppose Herzfeld and Fischer will 
think of it?" continued Maximilian, after a pause. 

"I am sure that Herzfeld will share my views," 
declared the physician. "As to Father Fischer, to 
tell the truth, I have not much confidence in his 
opinions." 

They then discussed the advisability of leaving 
at once or whether it would be better to wait 
for a time, but as there seemed no good reason at 
present for a sudden departure, Dr. Basch advised 

[66] 



EVENTS IN M E X I C O 

deferring it for a week in order that suitable 
preparations might be made. 

That evening Maximilian summoned his Minister 
of State and Professor Bilimek, director of the mu- 
seum, and laid the matter before them. To both, 
the Emperor's safety was of far more concern than 
the fate of a half-civilized country whose indiffer- 
ence had caused the downfall of all his hopes and 
schemes. The recent plot against the Emperor's 
life also may well have been an argument in favor 
of the plan. At all events they heartily coincided 
with it and Herzfeld urged preparations for departure 
with such energy that in three days' time it was 
possible to leave Chapultepec, a summer palace 
near the city of Mexico, which MaximiHan had had 
newly restored and fitted up at great cost and where 
he was staying at this time. 

The rumor of the Emperor's proposed departure 
caused general consternation. The new ministry 
was stunned and tried every means to dissuade him 
from this step. But Maximilian remained deaf to 
all arguments and, lest his resolution should be 
weakened. Dr. Basch had orders to permit no one 
to enter the royal apartments. All who came were 
dismissed with the information that His Majesty 

[67] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

was ill and could receive no visitors. Even the 
Princess Iturbide, aunt of little Prince Iturbide, a 
descendant of August the First, the first Emperor of 
Mexico, whom Maximilian, having no children of 
his own, had named as Crown Prince, was unable 
to gain access to him. The physician admits he had 
rather a violent scene with the high-spirited Prin- 
cess. She would take no denial and ended by 
roundly abusing those friends of the Emperor's who 
had persuaded him to leave Mexico. 

As a last resort the ministry threatened to resign 
in a body if the plan were persisted in, but even 
this was of no avail. Maximihan quietly declared 
that if these gentlemen resigned their offices he 
would leave the country at once, and he would 
certainly have kept his word. It is greatly to be 
regretted, therefore, that they did not do so and 
thus spare Mexico the everlasting stain of treachery 
and murder. Finding it the only means of at least 
deferring the Emperor's abdication, however, they 
remained at their posts and sent a message to him 
agreeing to carry on the business of government 
during his absence in accordance with his wishes. 

Maximilian had already received a letter from 
Bazaine approving the plan of changing his resi- 

[681 



EVENTS IN MEXICO 

dence to Orizaba, which was only a day's journey 
from the seaport of Vera Cruz, and promising to 
maintain law and order in the capital. The Em- 
peror's abdication would suit his own plans very 
well, by bringing him a step nearer to the realiza- 
tion of his secret ambitions. 

Thanks to Herzfeld's energy and activity, all was 
ready at the appointed time, and at four o'clock on 
the morning of the twenty-first of October, the 
Emperor, escorted by a troop of three hundred 
hussars under the command of Colonel Kodolitsch, 
set out from Chapultepec, little thinking ever to see 
that place again. Councillor Herzfeld remained in 
the capital to arrange some business matters, expect- 
ing to join the Emperor later on. 

The journey to Orizaba must not be passed over 
in silence, as it was marked by the occurrence of 
an important event. On the afternoon of the first 
day, the imperial party reached the Hacienda 
Socyapan, where they were to spend the night. The 
Emperor seemed abstracted, and walked up and 
down before the hacienda in silence with his physi- 
cian and Professor Bilimek. At length he broke 
out suddenly: 

" I cannot have any more bloodshed in this 

[69] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

unhappy country on my account. What am I to 
do?" 

The professor advised him to abdicate and sail for 
Europe at once, but Dr. Basch opposed this, repre- 
senting that an unnecessarily sudden departure would 
only precipitate matters and bring about exactly 
what the Emperor wished to avoid, namely, more 
bloodshed in Mexico. At the same time he urged a 
revocation of the decree of the third of October, 
1865, a suggestion which Maximilian cordially 
approved, and in regard to which he expressed him- 
self in strong terms on this occasion. 

Father Fischer and Colonel Kodolitsch, who were 
also in the Emperor's confidence, added their influ- 
ence to the doctor's, urging that a hacienda was not 
a suitable place from which to abdicate a throne, as 
MaximiUan himself was forced to acknowledge. He 
contented himself, therefore, with issuing two orders. 
Father Fischer was to write personal letters at once 
to Bazaine and to Minister Lares, ordering the repeal 
of the law of the third of October and the cessation 
of all hostilities until further notice. These two 
important despatches were entrusted to Count 
Lamotte, an ofHcer in the Austrian Hussars, to carry 
back to the city of Mexico, and on the following 

[70] 



EVENTS IN MEXICO 

morning the Emperor left the hacienda apparently 
much relieved. At noon of the second day, while 
resting at Rio-Frio, he sent the following telegram 
to Captain Pierron: 

"You, with Messieurs Pino, Trouchot, and Man- 
gino, are hereby appointed a commission which, 
under your direction and with the assistance of 
some ' trustworthy official from the ministry of 
finance, will examine the Civil List accounts, mine 
as well as that of the Empress, to prove whether we 
owe the State or the State us. I desire from the 
commission a detailed and authenticated statement 
in regard to this, in which shall be included the sum 
taken by the Empress for her voyage to Europe, 
and that received by my secretary on the Civil List 
account, together with those employed by Minister 
Arroyo after the reduction of the Civil List, in 
works on the palace and at Chapultepec." 

Herzfeld was also commissioned to issue, in the 
name of the Emperor, the necessary written orders 
to the prefect and treasurer at Miramar. 

"The Emperor wishes the utmost publicity to be 
given these matters," so Herzfeld was notified, "and 
holds you responsible therefor on your honor and 
your friendship. Amid the political shipwreck he 

[71] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

desires to keep his name and honor untarnished and 
would rather suffer personal loss than touch any 
part of the property of the Mexican nation." 

At the stations of Actzingo and Canada, Maxi- 
milian spent the night in the house of the priests, a 
fact which furnished his enemies an opportunity for 
accusing him of too close affiliation with the clergy. 
His arrival was everywhere hailed with rejoicings, 
and he was overwhelmed with expressions of sym- 
pathy for the illness of the Empress. On the twenty- 
seventh of October the imperial party reached the 
city of Orizaba, which they entered at five o'clock 
in the afternoon, greeted with booming of cannon 
and the enthusiastic acclamations of the populace. 



[72 



Chapter XII 
The Emperor at Orizaba 



HERZFELD'S knowledge of the real state of 
affairs and anxiety for his master's safety 
soon caused him to lay aside all other con- 
siderations and follow the Emperor to Orizaba, 
where he urged preparations for departure with all 
possible despatch. In the midst of those, however, 
he was ordered to Europe by MaximiHan to prepare 
for his arrival there. Thus this loyal friend was 
spared being a witness of the Emperor's tragic fate. 
During his stay in Orizaba Maximilian led a 
simple, secluded life in his palace, seeing only his 
intimate associates, but occupied with arrangements 
for departure, and the settling of his private affairs. 
Much to his satisfaction, his Civil List showed a 
balance in his favor of ^180,000. All his servants 
but two were paid and dismissed. Colonel Kodo- 
litsch was sent to Mexico to arrange with Bazaine 
concerning the Austrian and Belgian volunteers, 
who had followed Maximilian to Mexico and for 

[73] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

whose future he felt it his duty to provide. One 
question much discussed confidentially, and which 
Maximilian seemed quite unable to decide, was as to 
whether the abdication should take place before his 
departure or in Europe, where he had accepted the 
crown. His plans for the future were already made. 
It was not his intention to return at once to Austria, 
but to travel for two years, meeting the Empress at 
Corfu, if her condition should permit. Meanwhile 
his own health had greatly improved. With his two 
countrymen. Dr. Basch and Professor Bilimek, he 
made frequent excursions about the neighborhood, 
enjoying the wonderful scenery or searching for rare 
specimens of plants and insects. Suddenly, how- 
ever, events occurred which changed the aspect of 
affairs and effectually put an end to the Emperor's 
plans of travel. 

Two old comrades-in-arms in the Mexican army, 
Generals Marquez and Miramon, returned from 
Europe and, seeking an immediate audience with the 
Emperor, urged him to return to the capital, holding 
out promises of support and encouraging prospects 
for the imperial cause. While Maximihan was hesi- 
tating, a letter arrived from Bazaine, which turned 
the scale. In this the Marshal was so imprudent as 

[74] 



EMPEROR AT ORIZABA 

to tell tales out of school, betraying the fact that 
Napoleon III had made other plans for Mexico 
without consulting Maximilian, who, as he had not 
yet abdicated, was still sovereign of the country. 
This arbitrary conduct on the part of his ally roused 
Maximilian to action. Indignant at the slight cast 
upon him and anxious to prove that he was not 
slinking away at the bidding of France like a dis- 
graced servant, he was in a proper frame of mind to 
respond to the appeal made by his conservative 
advisers, that it was his duty to remain and not 
desert his party in the hour of danger. Although 
outwardly preparations for departure continued as 
before, the Emperor's resolution was weakened, 
and toward the end of November he summoned his 
council to Orizaba to consult with them as to the 
advisability of his abdication, giving in an address 
to that body his reasons for such a step, viz.^ the 
spread of the revolution with its attendant evils, the 
hostility of the United States toward Mexico, and 
the withdrawal of the support of France. 

A vote was taken, twenty-three members of the 
council being prese;nt, of whom two were for imme- 
diate abdication, ten of the opposite opinion, while 
eleven were in favor of abdication, but held that the 

[75] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

present was not the time for such a step. Maxi- 
milian yielded to the majority and agreed to remain 
on condition that funds should be raised for the 
proper defence of the government and the organi- 
zation of a permanent national army, and that 
measures should be taken toward the settlement 
of questions pending with France and the United 
States. The Mexicans, proverbially lavish with 
promises, readily agreed to all these points, and on 
the first of December the Emperor issued a mani- 
festo to the people, declaring that he had yielded 
to the desire of his council on condition that a con- 
gress representing all parties should be summoned 
to decide the existence of the Empire, and, if this 
were confirmed, he would devote himself to the 
promotion of its welfare. 

On the twelfth of December, 1866, Maximilian 
left Orizaba to return to Mexico, accompanied by 
most of the members of the council who, in the 
unsettled condition of the country, were glad to 
avail themselves of the imperial escort, consisting 
as before of Colonel Kodolitsch's hussars. They 
consumed much time on the journey, lingering for 
nearly three weeks at Puebla, MaximiHan residing 
at first in the Xonaca palace, a short distance 

[76] 



EMPEROR AT ORIZABA 

outside the city. Here he held an interview with 
Castelnan, the French consul, which appears to 
have been of a most unpleasant nature and widened 
still further the breach between the two Emperors. 
Scientific expeditions were also attempted by the 
three friends, as at Orizaba, but, finding few speci- 
mens in the region about Puebla, these excursions 
were soon abandoned and Maximilian moved his 
residence into the city. 

Arriving in Mexico on the fifth of January, 1867, 
Maximilian remained for a time at the Hacienda de 
Teja, a quarter of an hour's distance from the 
capital. While there three of his former ministers, 
Ramirez, Escudero, and Robles y Pezuela, made a 
final attempt to induce him to abdicate and leave 
the country at once. But although evidently im- 
pressed by their arguments he refused to follow their 
advice. The accusations of vacillation and irresolu- 
tion afterward made against Maximilian would seem 
to be justified by his behavior at this time. Doubt- 
ful of himself and of the future, he still clung to the 
hope of being able at least to retire with honor, con- 
scious of having fulfilled his duty to his adherents. 
In relating to his physician the interview with his 
ex-ministers, he declared that Ramirez wept at 

{77] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

parting, expressing the earnest wish that his evil 
forebodings might not be realized. He knew but 
too well how deceptive were the promises of his 
countrymen. 

"In no case," continued the Emperor, "will I 
remain here more than a few months, only until 
affairs are more settled. Will it injure my health,, 
do you think, to stay on in Mexico.^ Will the fever 
return?" 

"I have no anxiety as to Your Majesty's health 
on that score," replied the physician; "it is Your 
Majesty's life I fear for." 

Maximilian's attempts to convoke an assembly of 
liberal representatives from all parties to discuss 
measures for remedying the existing disorders in the 
country met with small success, as might have been 
expected. It seemed impossible to obtain any sort 
of peaceful fusion or cooperation, and there was 
nothing left for the Junta (congress) but to declare 
war on the rebels in Mexico — war to the knife. 



[78] 



Chapter XIII 
Departure of the French 



MEANWHILE the French were making active 
preparations for their return to France. 
On the sixteenth of January, 1867, a letter 
arrived from Napoleon Third, revoking the extraor- 
dinary powers granted to Bazaine as commander-in- 
chief of the Expedition Corps and declaring the corps 
itself disbanded. The embarkation of the first 
division of troops on the Empress Eugenie had then 
already begun. This was in accordance with the 
secret articles already mentioned, and met with no 
objection on the part of Maximilian. The recall of 
the foreign legion, however, included in the order, 
was a direct violation of the Treaty of Miramar, 
which guaranteed their remaining in the country 
for several years yet, if needed. 

In February the French marched out of the capi- 
tal. Before leaving they burned as many of the 
army effects as could not profitably be taken with 
them. A large quantity of powder was poured into 

[79] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

the water, and projectiles were rendered useless by 
being filled with sand, so that the Mexicans should 
not profit hy their possession. It is hard to believe 
that Bazaine's personal feeling could have gone to 
such lengths, but there seems no reason to doubt the 
truth of these statements. During the Russian re- 
treat before the French, in 1812, stores of all kinds 
were destroyed to prevent their falling into the 
enemy's hands. Maximilian was not yet an enemy; 
on the contrary, he was supposed to be an ally, yet 
for days huge columns of fire and smoke testified to 
the friendship of the French. 

Nor was this all. On the occasion of the Mar- 
shal's marriage to his Mexican wife, MaximiUan had 
presented him with a palace, which in case of his 
recall was to be redeemed by the government for 
156,000 piastres ($100,000). Now that he was 
about to leave the country forever he demanded the 
promised sum, though well aware of the state of 
Mexican finances, and, finding it impossible to 
obtain the money from an empty exchequer, sold 
enough French arms and ammunition to the revolu- 
tionists at insignificant prices to make up the amount. 

When Bazaine, some months before, had begun 
the reorganization of the Mexican army which was 

[80] 



DEPARTURE OF FRENCH 

to replace the French, he had ordered that all com- 
manders must be Frenchmen, other officers and 
privates either French or Mexicans; pay, equipment, 
etc., to be the same as in the French army, ^nd those 
of his own troops who chose were to be free to remain 
in the service of the Emperor. Yet in spite of this, 
before the departure of the last of the troops in 
February, 1867, he issued an order declaring that all 
French 'soldiers, officers or privates, who did not 
return to their own banner immediately would be 
regarded as deserters and forfeit all rights as citi- 
zens. Owing to the wide area of country involved 
and the difficulty of communication it was, of course, 
impossible for this order to reach all the French 
soldiers in Mexico — a fact which was taken advan- 
tage of later by Juarez, for all the Frenchmen serving 
under Maximilian, who were unfortunate enough to 
be taken' prisoners, were shot as deserters. Before 
leaving, however, the Marshal was kind enough to 
send a message to MaximiUan, offering to wait for 
him in case he should decide to leave the country — 
an offer which, needless to say, was declined. 

With the French troops, thanks to Bazaine's 
powers of persuasion, went the greater part of the 
Austrian and Belgian volunteers, who had done 

[81] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

distinguished service under the command of Count 
Thun, only a few of the Austrians remaining with 
their Prince. The first step now to be taken was 
the formation of the new national army, a task 
already begun by Bazaine. Maximilian divided it, 
roughly speaking, into three corps, commanded 
respectively by Generals Miramon, Marquez, and 
Mejia. As these three men are henceforth to play 
an important part in Mexican affairs, a word con- 
cerning them may not be amiss. 

Miramon had already enjoyed the honor of occu- 
pying the presidential chair 'in Mexico, at which 
time Marquez had served under him. One incident 
will suffice to illustrate the character of these two 
heroes. After the capture of Tacubaya, in 1859, 
they made a visit to the hospital where a corps of 
seven surgeons were caring for the wounded, friend 
and foe alike. That very day Miramon issued an 
order to Marquez, requiring all prisoners ranking 
from subalterns to staff-officers to be shot under 
his personal supervision — a list of the same to be 
delivered to himself that evening. And Leonardo 
Marquez, this worthy henchman, carried out these 
instructions so faithfully that not only every pris- 
oner was shot before sunset, but also the surgeons 

[82] 



DEPARTURE OF FRENCH 

of whom there had been no mention in the order. 
Such were the ideas of justice that animated these 
two commanders of the Mexican national army, yet 
Marquez, in particular, seems to have completely 
succeeded in concealing his real character from 
Maximilian, over whom he unfortunately had great 
influence. In marked contrast to these was the 
Indian Mejia, who, though still young and of unpre- 
possessing appearance, was brave and honest, a 
good soldier, and loyal to the end to his imperial 
master, whose death indeed he shared. 

Army corps, properly speaking, were out of the 
question, of course, in the Mexican army, of which 
only the few remaining French troops and foreign 
volunteers were trained soldiers. For the rest and 
for the greater part it was composed of half-hearted 
Mexicans, impressed into the service and ready to 
go over to the enemy at a moment's notice when- 
ever it pleased them. Of the volunteers Colonel 
Kherenhiiller had succeeded in forming a regiment 
of hussars, and Baron Hammerstein, one of infantry, 
while Count Wickenburg had an auxiliary force of 
constabulary, and Colonel Masso the cazadores or 
chasseurs, all of whom did good service. That 
their blood was shed in vain, that they never had 

[83] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

the honor of fighting near the Emperor or defend- 
ing him with their hves, was not the fault of 
these brave Germans, but of the traitorous villain 
Marquez. 

Maximilian next divided the country into three 
great military districts. Mejia was given command 
in the east, with headquarters at San Luis Potosi, 
Miramon was stationed in the west at Queretaro, 
while Marquez, controlling the central district, 
remained in the capital. 

The Emperor was determined now to show that 
he could maintain his position without the aid of 
French bayonets — a proof of confidence and fear- 
lessness which was hailed with acclamations by the 
imperialists, who already foresaw the downfall of 
Juarez and the triumph of the Empire. Before 
actual hostilities began, however, Maximilian made 
one more effort to avert bloodshed and make peace 
with his enemies. But it was all in vain. His 
overtures were coldly rejected and there was nothing 
for it but to let fate take its course. 

The first advance was made by Miramon, who 
succeeded in inflicting a severe defeat upon the 
republicans, Juarez and his ministers only escaping 
by the swiftness of their horses. But the exultation 

[84] 



DEPARTURE OF FRENCH 

caused by this news soon gave place to deepest 
dejection. Some days later, Escobedo, commander 
of the revolutionist army in the north, surprised the 
imperialists at San Jacinto and put them to rout, 
while Miramon, with the remnants of his scattered 
forces, took refuge in Queretaro. 



[8s 



Chapter XIV 
The Siege of ^eretaro 



ON the tenth of February the Emperor told 
his physician to prepare for a two weeks' 
expedition to Queretaro. Prompted by the 
urgent representations of his ministers, Lares and 
Marquez, that his presence was needed there to 
counteract the demorahzing effect of Miramon's 
defeat, he determined to place himself at the head 
of the army. After some delay, owing to the diffi- 
culty of obtaining funds for the campaign, in spite 
of the ministry's assurances as to the satisfactory 
condition of the national finances, Maximilian set 
out upon this fateful journey on the thirteenth of 
February, with a force of sixteen hundred Mexicans. 
The matter had been arranged with so much 
secrecy that even Prince Salm and Major Hammer- 
stein had no suspicion of the plan, while the Austrian 
hussars were dumbfounded when they found the 
Emperor starting for Queretaro without them. Two 
men have been accused of persuading Maximilian to 
[86] 



SIEGE OF QUERETARO 

this rash and fatal step — Father Fischer and the 
Prussian ambassador, Baron Magnus. Dr. Basch, 
one of the few who were in the secret, denies this, 
however, and places the blame entirely on the two 
ministers, Lares and Marquez — the latter of whom 
had managed to win the Emperor's entire confidence 
by his eloquence and flattery. This seems the more 
probable since it was to their interest to remove 
Maximihan to a safe distance.* Once already he 
had started for the coast. Why might he not do 
so again and with the aid of his Austrians succeed in 
reaching it and bidding adieu to the country forever .'^ 
This must be prevented at all cost. As for leaving 
these loyal troops behind and trusting himself to 
the uncertain Mexicans, it must be remembered that 
Maximilian was completely deceived as to the real 
state of affairs. From his order to Dr. Basch it is 
evident he expected to return from Queretaro in a 
short time. He wished also to give his Mexican 
subjects a proof of his confidence in them, a noble 
and chivalrous idea, no doubt, but most imprudent. 
Marquez, on the other hand, was anxious to keep 
the Emperor under his own influence and away 
from that of his German friends, whose advice 
might seriously interfere with his plans. It was also 

[87] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

important to leave the capital in safe hands, and no 
one realized more than Marquez the difference be- 
tween the Austrian troops and his ragged Mexican 
soldiers, many of them wearing a uniform for the 
first time. 

It was doubtless for this reason that the plan was 
kept so secret. The Emperor's friends would surely 
have dissuaded him from taking such a step or, at 
least, have insisted on accompanying him. Indeed, 
when Kherenhiiller and Hammerstein heard that 
he was about to leave for Queretaro, they tried their 
best to induce him to take them with him. As a 
last resort they even appealed to Father Fischer to 
use his influence in their behalf, but all in vain. 
Having promised his friend, Marquez, Maximilian 
felt he could not in honor retract his word. 

Shortly before setting out he took leave of his 
Austrian officers, assuring them that his reasons for 
taking this journey were purely political ones, and 
promising that they should soon follow. Prince 
Salm Indeed did follow with a few trusted men, 
In spite of the Emperor's prohibition, overtaking the 
Imperial party before they reached Queretaro. Of 
the march thither Maximilian himself gives an inter- 
esting account in a letter to Professor Bilimek who 

[88] 



SIEGE OF QUERETARO 

had returned to Miramar some time before. In it 
he writes: 

"As you will already have learned through the 
newspapers, our friends, the French, have at last 
left Mexico, and, having once more obtained liberty 
of action, we have exchanged the butterfly net for 
the sword. Instead of bugs and beetles we now 
pursue other game. Bullets instead of bees now 
buzz about our heads. Twice between Mexico and 
Queretaro we were in action and had a number of 
our men killed and wounded. One of the latter fell 
just in front of my horse and was immediately 
operated on, under fire, by Dr.tBasch, the only 
European who accompanied me. In the second 
skirmish, where we were shot at like targets, our 
Hungarian cook (you remember him.?), who was 
riding behind us with our servant Grill, was wounded 
on the lip. In every town where there were no 
revolutionists we were welcomed most heartily by 
the people, whom we found longing for peace and 
cursing the French." 

Maximilian reached Queretaro on the nineteenth 
and was received with the enthusiasm to be expected 
from one of the strongest imperialist cities. The 
streets were thronged with curious spectators who 

[89] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

hailed the Emperor's appearance with shouts of joy, 
while from windows and balconies, flags and gay 
hangings of all sorts waved a welcome. The Spanish 
casino had been selected and prepared as a residence 
for the Emperor, where he was received by the com- 
mandant of the city. General Escobar, after which 
the whole party attended a solemn Te Deum at the 
cathedral. 

In the evening there were great festivities, con- 
cluding with a magnificent banquet, at which there 
was no lack of those fine speeches wherein the 
Mexicans especially excel. Maximilian took no 
part in these celebrations, pleading fatigue as an 
excuse. Marquez, however, improved the occasion 
rudely to impress upon General Miramon the sense 
of their altered positions, he now being commander- 
in-chief and Miramon his inferior, at the same time 
openly displaying his satisfaction over the latter's 
recent defeat. Truly a noble soul ! Although white 
with rage, Miramon controlled himself, replying 
briefly with a toast to the army. 

For a time after his arrival in Queretaro, Maxi- 
milian found the life very pleasant. His simple, 
kindly ways soon won the hearts of the people, with 
whom he mingled freely and fearlessly, joining in 

[90] 



SIEGE OF QUERETARO 

their amusements and conversing familiarly with all 
classes. His coolness under fire also roused the 
admiration of his soldiers, who cheered wildly as he 
rode calmly past their ranks, the enemy's bullets 
whistling about his head. 

In the capital, meanwhile, there was so little 
thought given to the Emperor and his companions 
in Queretaro, and there was so little idea of keeping 
any of the promises made to him, it would almost 
seem that Marquez was not the only traitor. Soon 
after leaving Mexico, Maximilian had sent back 
word for the Austrian troops remaining there to 
follow him at once. Had this order been delivered, 
the expedition to Queretaro might have had a 
different and less tragic ending. But, owing to 
Marquez, it never reached its destination, and the 
Emperor's loyal friends, Kherenhiiller and Hammer- 
stein, were prevented from joining him while there 
was still time. 

The city of Queretaro had at this time a popula- 
tion of some forty thousand inhabitants. It lay in 
a narrow valley on the southern bank of a small 
stream, called the Rio Blanco, forming a quadrangle 
of about eight thousand feet in length by four thou- 
sand in breadth. To the west extended a wide 

[91] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

plain, called from the mountains behind it the plain 
of Guadalajara, while running from south to north- 
east was a range of hills, afterward utilized by the 
republicans with great effect. Two places which 
proved of special importance to the imperialists 
during the siege were the Cerro de la Campafia, a 
hill lying just west of the city, and the Convent de 
la Cruz, almost at the opposite end. This was a 
large stone edifice of great strength, dating from the 
days of Cortez. The convent grounds were enclosed 
by heavy stone walls, and had at the eastern end a 
smaller but equally strong building known as the 
Pantheon or burial-place of the convent. 

Two weeks after the Emperor's arrival (March 
fifth), the republican forces, under General Esco- 
bedo, appeared before Queretaro and began to invest 
the town. The garrison consisted of about four 
thousand infantry, three thousand cavalry, and had 
forty-four cannon — a force so insignificant, com- 
pared with the vast armies of the present day, that it 
is remarkable it should have held out as long as it 
did against such overwhelming superiority of num- 
bers. General Mejia had arrived at Queretaro 
shortly before this, with his troops from Potosi, 
among whom were a number of German oflficers and 

[92] 



SIEGE OF QUERETARO 



soldiers, while serving under Miramon were some 
six hundred Frenchmen. Immediately after the 
appearance of the enemy, Maximilian held a council 
of war with his generals. Miramon and Mejia were 
in favor of attacking the republicans before their 
forces should have time to unite — an excellent plan 
which was not carried out owing to the opposition 
of the all-influential Marquez, who held that the 
defence of the city should be their first consideration. 
Thus precious time was allowed to pass, and the 
imperialists looked calmly on while the enemy 
gradually crowned the surrounding heights with 
batteries. The Emperor had first established his 
headquarters on the Cerro de la Campana, but when 
the republicans extended their lines eastward, they 
were moved to the Convent de la Cruz (so called 
from a cross erected there in commemoration of the 
conquest). General Miramon now occupied the 
former headquarters with a battery of eight guns, 
while the chief defence of the town was entrusted to 
the Mexican Castillo, an able general, but no longer 
young and almost entirely deaf. 

The enemy's next move was to cut off the city's 
supplies, both of water and provisions, hoping to 
subdue it by starvation. The only water now ob- 

[93] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

tainable was that of the Rio Blanco, while meat soon 
grew so scarce that many of the cavalry horses had 
to be sacrificed. Juarez himself joined the repub- 
lican camp for a time, but, being unable to endure 
the smell of powder, soon returned to Potosi. On the 
fourteenth of March the Juarists made their first 
general attack on the town, assaults being made on 
three sides at once, under cover of the batteries. 
The main struggle, however, took place at La Cruz. 
After a hot fight they succeeded in capturing the 
Pantheon, but were afterward driven out by a body 
of Austrians. During the attack Maximilian re- 
mained in the great square before the convent, 
exposed to the hottest fire, yet quite calm and 
apparently unconscious of the deadly hail of bullets 
all about him. Once a shell burst only a few paces 
in front of him, but fortunately no one was injured, 
though an adjutant had his sword bent and his 
clothes burned by a flying splinter. Prince Salm, 
always conspicuous for bravery, made a brilliant 
sortie and succeeded in capturing the first guns from 
the enemy. 

By evening the Juarists had been repulsed at all 
points and driven back, but the victory proved 
barren in results. Lopez, for some reason, took no 

[94] 



SIEGE OF QUERETARO 

part in the action, while Marquez either would not 
or did not know how to follow up the advantage 
he had gained. As for Miramon, he distinguished 
himself a few days later. It had been planned to 
surprise the Juarists early on the morning of the 
sixteenth, and Miramon was chosen to lead the 
attack, from which great things were hoped. But 
the whole scheme fell through because — that gen- 
eral overslept! — a neglect of duty difficult to under- 
stand in these days. When he did at last awake it 
was broad daylight, and all thought of a surprise 
had to be abandoned. 

On the twenty-first of March another council was 
held and an important decision arrived at. This 
was to send one of the generals back to the city of 
Mexico with full authority from the Emperor to act 
as he thought best. He was to dismiss the present 
ministry and form a new one, to obtain more funds, 
and, in any case, to return with aid to Queretaro with- 
out delay. Marquez, for whom the place was get- 
ting much too warm by this time, had no difficulty 
in obtaining the appointment — a simple means of 
escaping the trap into which he had led his sovereign. 
Still trusting the traitor implicitly, Maximilian left 
it entirely to him whether to bring only a part of 

[95] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

the troops from Mexico or the whole garrison. It 
was arranged that Marquez, with one thousand 
horsemen, was to make his way through the hills to 
the south, while Miramon, to divert the enemy's 
attention, made a sortie in the opposite direction. 
The plan was kept so secret that even Miramon had 
no suspicion of the real purpose of his expedition. 
This time he did not oversleep but successfully 
surprised the enemy at four in the morning, returning 
with twenty-two carts full of provisions and war. 
material, sixty oxen, and some two hundred sheep 
and goats. Meanwhile Marquez and his troopers 
had passed through the enemy's lines unnoticed, 
leaving the imperialists the poorer by one thousand 
of their best men — no small loss to a garrison 
already so reduced. 

The Juarists, now swelled by reinforcements to 
about forty thousand men, continued to harass the 
city by daily attacks from without, while their spies 
kept them accurately informed of all that passed 
within. The Emperor, unconscious of the treachery 
by which he was surrounded, still looked confidently 
for relief from Marquez. Days passed in ever- 
increasing suspense, while the situation of the 
besieged grew more and more critical. Marquez' 

[96] 



SIEGE OF QUERETARO 

enemies began openly to hint at treachery, and at 
length even Maximilian lost faith. Now that it was 
too late his eyes were opened to the real nature of his 
"friend," and, realizing that he had been betrayed, 
he determined to send Prince Salm on another mis- 
sion to the capital — to arrest Marquez, if necessary, 
and return at once with reinforcements. An attempt 
was accordingly made on the twenty-second of April 
to break through the enemy's lines, but the city was 
by this time so closely invested that it was found 
to be useless. Meanwhile the republicans, fearing 
that the Emperor with his whole force might suc- 
ceed in escaping from the city, caused reports of 
Marquez' approach to be circulated by their spies, 
while false despatches, purporting to arrive from the 
capital, were smuggled through the lines in order to 
soothe the imperialists with vain hopes. 

But what of Marquez while all Queretaro watched 
so anxiously for his return.^ Where was he and 
what was he doing.? He had arrived safely at the 
capital on the twenty-seventh of March with few 
losses, and, finding the city of Puebla hard pressed 
by the Juarist, Porfirio Diaz, determined to go to 
its relief. Though well aware of the urgency of the 
situation in Queretaro, and the need of haste in 

[97] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

executing his mission, he seems to have troubled 
himself little concerning it, and to have taken no 
steps toward sending the promised aid. The relief 
of Puebla he did indeed undertake, but here as in 
Queretaro he made so many blunders that the 
attempt ended in utter failure and involved the 
needless sacrifice of many of Maximilian's brave 
Austrians. 



[98] 



Chapter XV 
Downfall of the Mexican Empire 

MEANWHILE the situation in Queretaro 
remained about the same from week to 
week. Thanks to the reports spread by 
republican spies, relief was still looked for, while 
frequent skirmishes enlivened the monotony in 
which both Miramon and Mejia distinguished 
themselves. Nor were they altogether without 
results, for on the twenty-seventh of April Miramon 
routed twelve thousand of the besiegers, captured 
twenty-one guns, and took a large number of pris- 
oners. Yet neither of these generals seemed able 
to utilize their advantages. Whenever a victory 
was won, precious moments were wasted in useless 
celebrations, in true Mexican fashion, leaving the 
enemy plenty of time to recover lost ground. 

At length, however, the Emperor was forced to 
abandon all hope of Marquez' return and as a last 
resort began seriously to consider the possibility of 
breaking through the enemy's siege lines to the 

[99] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

western plain whence they might be able to reach 
the mountains beyond. Once there they would be 
safe — for these were the native haunts of General 
Mejia, who knew every foot of the country and was 
certain to find support among the sturdy moun- 
taineers — always a loyal race. Thither, too, the 
Juarists would be slow to follow. Being unwilling 
to leave the city without any military protection, 
Maximilian's first step was to issue a call for volun- 
teers, to which hundreds of the townsfolk responded 
and were enrolled as recruits by Mejia, to whom 
their organization was entrusted. Meanwhile Prince 
Salm selected a body-guard of picked men for the 
Emperor. The attempt was to be made early on the 
morning of the fourteenth of May, — the chief com- 
mand of the expedition being intrusted to Colonel 
Lopez, a proof of Maximilian's unbounded faith 
in this scoundrel. As to the sequence of events. 
Dr. Basch, who was an eye-witness, writes as follows : 
"At eleven o'clock on the night of the thirteenth, 
a council of war was held at which it was decided to 
defer our departure till the following night. This 
was at Mejia's request, the number of volunteers 
being so great he had been unable properly to arm or 
organize them in so short a time, and it was upon 

[lOO] 



DOWNFALL OF THE EMPIRE 

their help he largely depended for the success of the 
undertaking. Preparations had all been completed. 
We were ready for the march. Only such effects as 
could be carried with us on our horses were to be 
taken. The Emperor himself was very hopeful. 
*I am glad,' he said to me on the afternoon of the 
fourteenth, *that the end has come at last and feel 
sure we shall succeed, partly because my good 
fortune has never yet failed me and also — call it 
superstition if you will — because to-morrow is my 
mother's name day — which is a good omen.' 

"The Emperor's luggage was divided among the 
escort — members of his suite each taking a part 
of his papers among their effects. The contents of 
His Majesty's privy purse were distributed between 
Salm, Lieutenant-colonel Pradillo, the Emperor's 
secretary, Blasio, Colonel Campos, commander of 
the body-guard, myself, and Lopez, the latter of 
whom expressed dissatisfaction on being handed 
his share because it was in silver and small coin 
instead of gold like the rest. 

"At ten o'clock that night another postponement 

was made till the fifteenth, this time at the request 

of General Mendez, for what reason I am unable to 

say. About eleven the Emperor held a conference 

■ [lOl] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

with Lopez concerning some details of the plan, 
and, made wakeful by excitement, did not retire 
until one. At half-past two he had me wakened. 
I went at once to his room and found him suffering 
with an attack of dysentery — a disease which had 
been making havoc in both camps owing to bad food 
and the effects of the rainy season. I stayed with 
him nearly an hour till the pain was relieved, then 
returned to my own room and lay down with my 
clothes on. The convent was then wrapped in deep 
stillness; not a sound was to be heard. Just before 
five I was suddenly aroused by two men bursting 
into my room, one of whom I recognized as Lieu- 
tenant Jablonski. * Where is Prince Salm?' they 
shouted, *he must be awakened!' and with these 
words they rushed out again. I sprang up at once. 
Something unusual must have occurred to bring them 
to headquarters at that hour. Without stopping 
to think about it, however, I roused my servant, who 
was sleeping in the same room, ordered him to saddle 
my horse as quickly as possible, and hastened in 
quest of Salm, whom I found already up and dressed. 
I asked him what was the matter. *We are sur- 
prised,' was his answer. ^Make haste and tell Fiirs- 
tenwarther to have the hussars mount without delay.' 
[102] 



DOWNFALL OF THE EMPIRE 

"I had just delivered this message when the 
Emperor's Mexican chamberlain, Severe, came and 
informed me that His Majesty wished to speak with 
me. Returning to his room, I found him already 
dressed. *I do not think it is anything serious,' he 
declared with the utmost calmness, *but the enemy 
have forced their way into the courtyard. Get 
your pistol and follow me to the square.' 

"Grill, the steward, afterward told me during our 
imprisonment that the Emperor did not lose his 
presence of mind for a moment. While he was dress- 
ing he had his sword placed by the door unsheathed, 
to be at hand in case of need. In obedience to His 
Majesty's comnland I went to my room to buckle 
on my revolver and there my servant met me with 
the news that he had been stopped by a strange 
officer who had taken the saddle blankets from him. 
Having myself given the order for the hussars to 
mount, it was necessary for me to have my horse at 
once if I was to accompany the Emperor, so I told 
my servant to follow me and point out the officer 
who had prevented his obeying my orders. We 
met him in one of the passageways, wrapped in 
one of the blankets and carrying the other on his 
shoulder. As the Emperor had only spoken of the 

[ 103 ] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

enemy as having entered the courtyard, I naturally 
supposed, meeting this man inside the convent, that 
he and the ten soldiers with him were our men and 
asked if he did not recognize me as the Emperor's 
physician. He tried to evade me, pointing to a 
staircase leading to the roof of the convent, and 
saying, 'Your blankets are up there.' 

"Still in the dark as to the meaning of all this, 
and indignant at the unnecessary delay, I drew my 
revolver, whereupon the officer cried to the soldiers, 
^Desarme lol ' (Disarm him!) I saw a row of bay- 
onets pointed at me and heard the click of trig- 
gers and in a flash the whole thing was clear to me. 
Any attempt at resistance would have been mad- 
ness, so, escorted by the officer and his squad, I 
mounted the steps to the convent roof, which to 
my amazement I found crowded with republican 
troops. *You are my prisoner!' said the officer, 
now speaking for the first time. 'So I see!' was my 
angry rejoinder. My revolver was then taken away 
from me, and Perez, for such was the officer's 
name, began to search my pockets with a dexterity 
that proved him no novice in the business. Natu- 
rally the well-filled money belt did not escape his 
deft fingers, nor my watch which I had with me, and 

[104] 



DOWNFALL OF THE EMPIRE 

this unexpected booty caused him to treat me with 
more favor. In spite of the danger of the situation, 
I could not refrain from drawing out my surgical 
case, which had been overlooked, and, offering it to 
Perez, inquiring whether he would not like that also. 
This voluntary gift, however, he did not accept nor 
did he take my note-book. There being no bank 
notes in Mexico, paper naturally did not interest 
him as much as coin or valuables, and my papers 
were left undisturbed in my pocket. I was then 
taken to the tower where the Emperor had so often 
exposed himself to the enemy's fire, and placed 
under the guard of two men." 

So much for the physician's experiences on that 
eventful night. Meanwhile, after telling Dr. Basch 
to get his pistol and follow him, Maximilian, accom- 
panied by Prince Salm, General Castillo, Lieutenant- 
colonel Pradillo, and Secretary Blasio, went out into 
the courtyard. At the gates they found one of 
the enemy's guards stationed, and standing near by 
were Colonel Lopez and Colonel Jose Rincon Gal- 
lardo. The latter, to whom the Emperor was well 
known, said to the guard: "Let them pass, they 
are civilians," and Maximilian and his companions 
walked out unmolested. From La Cruz they made 

[los] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

their way to Miramon's headquarters on the Cerro 
de la Campana, several other officers joining them 
on the way. The lines everywhere were already in 
the possession of the enemy and even the small 
body of cavalry they found assembled at the foot 
of the hill soon melted away, going over to the 
enemy little by little as their fears overcame them. 
Turning to Mejia, the Emperor asked if there was 
no possibility of breaking through with a few faithful 
followers, but Mejia sadly replied in the negative, 
saying any such attempt would be useless. Resign- 
ing himself to his fate, therefore, Maximilian ordered 
the white flag hoisted and a few moments later 
surrendered his sword to a republican officer who 
galloped up. The Emperor was a prisoner. 

That afternoon at four o'clock Escobedo sent the 
following telegram to the Juarist minister of war 
in Potosi: 

"At three o'clock this morning our troops cap- 
tured the convent La Cruz. The garrison were 
taken prisoners, part of the enemy's troops having 
retreated to Cerro de la Campaiia in great disorder 
and under fire from our artillery. About eight this 
morning Maximilian with his generals Mejia and 
Castillo surrendered at discretion. 1 beg to offer 

[io6] 



DOWNFALL OF THE EMPIRE 

the President my congratulations on this great 
triumph of the national arms. 

Mariano Escobedo." 

A mighty triumph, indeed, for fifty thousand men 
to conquer a garrison of five thousand, exhausted 
by famine and disease, and that only by an act of 
treachery! 

As to the manner and conditions of Lopez' be- 
trayal, accounts vary. He is said to have been 
promised as much as ten thousand piastres by 
Escobedo. His accomplice in the plot was a cer- 
tain Anton Jablonski, but the whole affair was 
managed with such adroitness that not one of the 
Emperor's friends had a suspicion of it. Lopez 
afterward published an emphatic denial of the 
accusation, which was supported by Escobedo and 
in which he had the audacity to appeal to Prince 
Salm for confirmation. The latter's reply, written 
during his imprisonment and after Maximilian's 
death, leaves nothing to be desired in the way of 
plain speaking. It runs in part as follows: 

"To Miguel Lopez, former imperial Mexican 
colonel and author of the article entitled ^The 
Capture of Queretaro': 

"In this defence, addressed by you to your coun- 

[107] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

trymen, to France, and to the world at large, you 
appeal to me as witness that Queretaro did not fall 
by treachery and maintain that your statements 
bear the stamp of perfect truth. Although I, as you 
know, have been a prisoner of war for five months, 
my sense of justice will no longer allow me to be 
silent, for I can prove their utter falsity. You pub- 
licly declare that Queretaro was captured by force 
of arms; that the Emperor commissioned you on 
the night of the fourteenth of May to negotiate with 
the enemy, his troops being completely demoralized 
and all hope of escape abandoned; and you dare 
any who maintain that Queretaro fell by treachery 
to appear and dispute your assertions. I accept 
your challenge, therefore, and before the world pro- 
claim you a traitor with the blood of your former 
sovereign and benefactor on your hands. It is not 
true that the Emperor commissioned you to nego- 
tiate with the enemy. I had the honor of convers- 
ing with His Majesty that night, after you had left 
him, and he had not then or at any other time the 
faintest idea of treating with the republicans. If 
his army was small, it was still brave and loyal 
enough to have fought a way out through the 
enemy's lines for its beloved sovereign, to whose 
[io8] 



DOWNFALL OF THE EMPIRE 

character, as you well know, such a course as you 
describe would have been utterly foreign. This be- 
ing the case, permit me, Senor Lopez, to ask you 
a few questions before the world. 

"Why, if you had been ordered to enter the 
enemy's lines, did you return about two o'clock with 
a republican officer of high rank and bring him into 
La Cruz, the Emperor's headquarters.^ Why did 
you, contrary to the Emperor's wishes, and without 
my knowledge, order the Hungarian hussars to 
unsaddle, when I had already given them the 
Emperor's commands to remain saddled all night.'* 
Why, at such a dangerous time, did you remove from 
the Emperor's headquarters the guard upon whom 
the safety of La Cruz depended.^ Why were the 
eight guns which stood on the square in front of the 
convent turned with their muzzles toward the city? 
Why, at two o'clock in the morning, did you take 
this republican general, dressed as a civilian and 
armed with a revolver, all through our fortifications ? 
Why did you leaye our lines before four o'clock that 
morning, still with this same officer, and return in a 
quarter of an hour at the head of two of the enemy's 
battalions and lead them into the inner court of 
La Cruz, where you were met by your accomplice, 

[ 109 ] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

Lieutenant Jablonski? How did it happen that you 
and Jablonski, both supposedly prisoners, should 
have informed the Emperor of the enemy's presence 
in La Cruz? How do you explain the fact that 
when His Majesty, with General Castello and my- 
self, were about to leave the convent, then already 
surrounded by the enemy, we were allowed at a 
word from you to pass as civilians, although the 
Emperor must have been already recognized and 
General Castillo and I were in full uniform? How 
was it that after our capture some of the republican 
officers named you as the traitor? How did it hap- 
pen that you, a prisoner, were always at liberty? 
And, finally, how were you able to possess yourself 
of the imperial papers and various articles belong- 
ing to His Majesty, such as his silver toilet service, 
which, by the way, have never appeared again? 

"To all of this, Seiior Miguel Lopez, you cannot 
honestly and honorably reply; the facts speak for 
themselves and proclaim you both traitor and mur- 
derer. Why did you betray your Emperor and 
benefactor? Because, in the first place, you wished 
to be revenged on him for withholding from you 
the General's commission which he had already 
signed. In case you should not know his reason 

[no] 



DOWNFALL OF THE EMPIRE 

for this, then learn now that it was because a brave 
man, whose blood is also on your hands and whose 
name I will not mention, lest you take revenge on 
those he has left behind, had presented to His 
Majesty a private document dismissing you from the 
army for infamous conduct during Santa Anna's 
presidency and forbidding your ever holding a 
government office again. 

"And, secondly, Seiior Lopez, you were moved 
by fear. Seeing that something decisive must soon 
occur and fearing, in case of our defeat, for your 
future and for your life, you hoped by this shameful 
treachery to clear your past account with the repub- 
licans, as indeed you did. Your third attempt at 
treason failed, for a short time after the Emperor 
had been made prisoner, finding your hopes dis- 
appointed, you sent a person known to us both to 
him with offers to betray your new confederates. 
In my presence this person attempted to pave the 
way for you to approach the Emperor, overtures 
that were naturally rejected with contempt. A 
man may choose his own course in life, but he 
must be true to his principles. You have not only 
been false to yours but have also committed the 
most infamous of all crimes — that of treason — 

[III] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

and broken the oath you took to the imperial 
cause. The name of Miguel Lopez may become 
famous, no doubt, but it will never be mentioned 
in the annals of Mexico or of the world save with 
deepest abhorrence and contempt." 



[112] 



Chapter XVI 
The Emperor s Imprisonment 



AFTER Maximilian had surrendered his sword 
to the republican commander on the Cerro 
de la Campana he was taken back to his 
old quarters at the convent, his physician and two 
attendants, Grill and Severo, being allowed to join 
him later. 

"It was with a heavy heart," writes Dr. Basch, 
"that I approached the Emperor's door, before which 
a guard was posted. I opened it and paused a 
moment on the threshold to compose myself, but 
His Majesty came up at once and embraced me, 
weeping. Quickly controlling himself, however, he 
pressed my hand and turned away, sighing deeply. 
A mournful silence followed. Now for the first 
time I perceived that Salm, Blaslo, Pachta, and 
Pradillo were also in the room. For a time the 
Emperor paced up and down, lost in thought, but 
at last he spoke, this time more calmly. 

"*I am glad,' he said, * that it all happened 

[113] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

out more bloodshed. That much at least has been 
accomplished. I feared for you all.' 

"Although he had been so ill the night before, 
excitement had sustained him during the events 
that had since occurred. Now, however, the attack 
returned and he was forced to go to bed suffering 
greatly. Having, in our present situation, no reme- 
dies at hand to relieve his distress, I was greatly 
surprised when the Emperor produced a small box 
of pills which I had given him the night before. 
^You see,' he declared, 'how important it is not to 
lose one's presence of mind. This morning when 
we were surprised I remembered to put this in my 
pocket.'" 

Maximilian's room had been completely rifled 
during his absence. Personal effects, books, cloth- 
ing, and documents all had disappeared, having been 
appropriated by Lopez as souvenirs of his former 
benefactor. During the forenoon the Emperor was 
visited by several of the republican officers, among 
whom was Colonel Jose Gallardo, who had per- 
mitted him to jeave La Cruz the preceding night — 
a mistaken kindness, as it proved, for Maximilian, in 
consequence, had been arrested in arms and thereby 
made himself liable to that fatal decree of October 

1 114] 



EMPEROR'S IMPRISONMENT 

third, which he had tried to revoke on his way to 
Orizaba. 

Most of the imperial generals who had remained 
loyal were confined in a room adjoining the Em- 
peror's. Mendez remained in hiding, but, his plan 
of concealment being betrayed a few days later, he 
was taken out and shot. Miramon had been shot 
in the face with a revolver by one of his own adju- 
tants while attempting to rally his troops on the 
Cerro, the morning of the surrender, and was at his 
own quarters. The prisoners were treated with 
scant consideration. A rich merchant of the town 
supplied Maximilian's table, with the remains from 
which his companions were obliged to content them- 
selves. The Emperor soon grew so much worse that 
his physician became alarmed and asked that one 
of the republican army surgeons might be called in. 
Dr. Riva de Nejra was sent to visit the august 
prisoner and advised a change of residence, declar- 
ing the present one most unfit in his condition of 
health. 

On the morning of the seventeenth, therefore, 
Maximilian was taken to the former convent, 
Santa Teresa, in a carriage, guarded by a troop 
of cavalry, his companions being forced to walk. 

[IIS] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

As they passed through the city, the streets were 
deserted, the inhabitants considerately retiring into 
their houses, the windows of which even were 
closed. Not a soul was to be seen anywhere. 
The new quarters of the prisoners consisted of 
two large rooms, absolutely bare and empty. After 
some trouble a bed and chairs were procured for 
the Emperor's use, while the others were left to 
make themselves comfortable on the floor of the 
adjoining apartment. Fortunately they managed to 
obtain some saddle blankets to sleep on and the Em- 
peror sent out and bought coverings, combs, brushes, 
and soap. 

"These republicans," says Dr. Basch, "seem con- 
vinced they are treating us with the greatest care 
and magnanimity, their idea of humanity being 
apparently to permit us to breathe. Unless we can 
wait on ourselves we must go hungry and dirty." 

In spite of these hardships, however, the change 
made a perceptible improvement in Maximilian's 
health, and his painful symptoms gradually dis- 
appeared. Juarez' delay in taking any action in 
regard to the fate of the prisoners encouraged the 
Emperor's friends to expect a favorable outcome of 
the aflPair — a hope that was rudely dispelled, how- 

[ii6] 



EMPEROR'S IMPRISONMENT 

ever, when the Princess Salm arrived at Queretaro 
on the twentieth of May and revealed to her hus- 
band the danger in which MaximiHan really stood. 
It was apparent even to the republicans that Juarez 
was determined to have his life. The Princess made 
the most heroic efforts to save him, shrinking from 
no dangers and no exertion in his behalf, but all in 
vain. The Emperor's guard was not always strictly 
kept, and had not treachery lurked at every turn, 
his escape might have been effected. Such an 
attempt was finally made, indeed, but it was then 
too late. 

On the twenty-second of May Maximilian was 
again transferred, this time to the Capuchin monas- 
tery, with Prince Salm and Generals Mejia and 
Miramon. The other officers, Dr. Basch, and the 
Emperor's servants were left behind, expecting to 
follow shortly. As hour after hour passed, however, 
and no one came, feeling that anything was possible 
in this barbarous country, they were seized with 
the fear that Maximilian and his companions might 
have been already shot without any warning. At 
last, however, an officer appeared, about eight o'clock 
in the evening, with the long-looked-for orders. 

"The first person I saw in the monastery," relates 

[117] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

Dr. Basch, "was Salm. * Where is the Emperor?' 
I asked. 

"'His Majesty is in the crypt/ he replied, but 
quickly added, seeing my horror at these words, 
/Calm yourself, he is alive, but really in the crypt. 
I will take you to him.' 

"As the door was opened a rush. of cold air greeted 
me, rank with dampness and decay. In the far 
corner of a huge vault, the burial-place of the mon- 
astery, was a bed, and on it lay the Emperor read- 
ing Caesar. A small table beside him held a lighted 
candle. 'They have not had time to prepare a 
room for me,' he remarked, smiling quietly, 'so I am 
obliged temporarily to take up my abode with the 
dead.' I spent that night in the crypt alone with 
the Emperor, making my bed on a large slab appar- 
ently used as a bier, but after the hours of anxiety 
I had endured that afternoon, I had no trouble in 
sleeping even amid those surroundings." 

Bitter as Juarez was against Maximilian, he was 
not in Queretaro at this time, but at Potosi, and 
therefore cannot be held responsible for the atrocious 
treatment accorded the unfortunate Emperor, whose 
calm and cheerful acceptance of these indignities 
cannot but rouse the deepest admiration. 

[118I 



EMPEROR'S IMPRISONMENT 

The next day he was taken from the crypt and 
lodged in a dark narrow cell, similar to those assigned 
his companions in misfortune, all opening on a small 
court so that the prisoners could be easily guarded. 
It soon became evident that there was no hope of 
any compromise in the Emperor's case. Juarez 
insisted that it should be decided by a Mexican 
court-martial — the outcome of which was a fore- 
gone conclusion. Maximilian's death had already 
been determined upon and any trial would be merely 
a pretext to throw dust in the eyes of the world. 

Princess Salm, with the aid of a German mer- 
chant, named Stephen, and the vice-consul from 
Hamburg, made another attempt at rescue, which 
might have proved successful had not Maximilian 
refused to go without Miramon and Mejia, who 
were to be tried with him. Miramon appears to 
have revealed the plan to his wife, who, in turn, 
betrayed it to the enemy, so it resulted in only 
stricter measures. All the prisoners were removed 
from the Capuchin monastery with the exception of 
Maximilian and his two generals, over whom a 
much stronger guard was placed. 

On the twelfth of June, 1867, General Escobedo 
issued an order arraigning Ferdinand Maximilian, 

[119] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

Archduke of Austria, and his confederates, the "so- 
called'' generals, Don Miguel Miramon and Don 
Tomas Mejia, before a court-martial to answer for 
crimes against the nation and against law and 
order. The charges against Maximilian were thirteen 
in number, an absurd and incongruous medley, the 
chief of which were that he had broken his personal 
guarantees; that he had served as an instrument 
of the French; and that he had assumed the posi- 
tion of a usurper and authorized atrocities of every 
description, such as the decree of October 3, 1865. 

The trial opened at eight o'clock on the morning 
of June thirteenth in the Iturbide theatre, the 
interior of which was brilliantly illuminated, the 
galleries filled with spectators, all of whom displayed 
the deepest interest in the proceedings. At the 
right sat the judges, consisting of a lieutenant- 
colonel and six captains, all very young and selected 
with little or no regard for the important questions 
involved. Opposite them were placed the benches 
for the accused and their advocates. Generals Mejia 
and Miramon arriving at the theatre about nine in 
a carriage under a strong guard. 

The president opened the session, and the attor- 
ney for the government, Manuel Aspiroz, read the 

[120] 



EMPEROR'S IMPRISONMENT 

charges, together with the Emperor's protest against 
this form of trial and the legality of all steps taken 
against his person under the law of January 25, 
1862, which was intended for native rebels and 
not applicable to him as a foreigner. Lastly, med- 
ical evidence in regard to the Emperor's condition 
of health was produced, with a petition for more 
healthful accommodations. 

General Mejia was first summoned to answer 
before this tribunal, and his advocate, Vega, made 
a brilliant speech in his defence, dwelling on his 
bravery and loyalty as well as the distinguished 
services he had rendered to his native land. Mira- 
mon's attorneys, Jauregui and Moreno, employed 
the same line of argument. 

Maximilian did not appear in person before the 
court. He was defended by two of the foremost 
lawyers in Mexico, Vazquez and Ortega, both 
distinguished for learning and eloquence. They 
directed their main arguments against the com- 
petency of such a court for the case. Maximilian 
was not a usurper, as charged, declared Vazquez, 
for he had come by invitation of a representative 
council, confirmed by popular vote. He had refused, 
in fact, to accept the crown until such vote had been 

[121] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

assured. Whether this had been given fraudulently, 
he, as a foreigner on the other side of the ocean, had 
no means of discovering, nor had he any reason to 
regard himself as other than a legitimate sovereign 
— the ovation accorded him on his arrival naturally 
tending to strengthen hini in this conviction. He 
had brought no troops but came peaceably, accom- 
panied only by his household. Neither had he 
served as a tool for the French, for from the very 
first he had striven against their interference; the 
constant friction between him and the French com- 
manders having finally led to the withdrawal of the 
French troops. 

Ortega protested vigorously against the imputa- 
tion of Maximilian's cruelty. The severe decree of 
October 3, 1865, was issued on the advice of his 
ministry and in the belief that Juarez had abandoned 
Mexican territory. Its object had been chiefly to 
intimidate, for no man ever sued in vain for mercy 
from Maximilian, whose clemency and magnanimity 
were well known. He concluded with an appeal to 
the honor and sympathy of the republicans, urging 
them not to abuse their victory and stain their laurels 
with a bloody and useless execution. 

But his defenders' brilliant eloquence was power- 

[122] 



EMPEROR'S IMPRISONMENT 

less to save Maximilian. His sentence had been fixed 
long since. The whole trial was the merest farce, 
a spectacle prepared by Juarez and his friends. It 
was most fitting that a theatre should have been 
chosen for its performance! 

The public session of the court ended on the 
fourteenth of June. At eleven o'clock that night 
the Emperor Maximilian and his two generals were 
unanimously pronounced guilty and condemned to 
be shot, Escobedo, confirming the sentence on the 
sixteenth and ordering the execution to take place 
that afternoon at three o'clock. 

Mexico was now completely in the hands of the 
Juarists, with the exception of Vera Cruz and the 
capital, where Marquez was playing a singular game 
and needlessly sacrificing the Emperor's brave 
Austrians. With the downfall of the imperial cause, 
however, this scoundrel passes out of our history. 
Once, during his imprisonment, Maximilian said to 
his physician: "If both Marquez and Lopez were 
given to me to deal with as I chose, I would free the 
coward Lopez, but Marquez, the cold-blooded and 
deliberate traitor, I would hang." 



[123] 



Chapter XVII 
"Death of Maximilian and his Generals 

THE news that the Emperor and his two 
generals, Mejia and Miramon, had been sen- 
tenced to death, aroused widespread sym- 
pathy and Juarez was besieged with petitions for 
mercy, even Garibaldi, who certainly was no friend 
to the house of Hapsburg, being among the pleaders. 
The Prussian ambassador. Baron von Magnus, has- 
tened to Potosi to intercede personally in behalf of 
Maximilian, and used every effort to secure a pardon, 
but in vain. All that he was able to obtain was a 
reprieve of two days, the execution of the sentence 
being postponed till seven o'clock on the morning 
of the nineteenth. 

Prince Salm being still a prisoner and powerless 
to act, his wife made one last desperate attempt 
to bring about the Emperor's escape by flight, but 
again the plan was frustrated by the fatal treachery 
that seemed to pursue Maximilian at every turn in 
Mexico. The Princess Salm was put into a carriage 

[124] 



DEATH OF MAXIMILIAN 

and sent out of Queretaro under a military guard, 
while all the diplomatic representatives were ordered 
by Escobedo to leave the city at two hours' notice. 
Meanwhile the Emperor and his companions pre- 
pared for death. They received the sacrament from 
Father Soria and spent their last hours communing 
with the confessors who were to accompany them 
on their last journey. Maximilian, calm and serene 
as in happier days, conversed cheerfully with Dr. 
Basch and his lawyers, Ortega and Vazquez, who 
had come to bid him farewell. On parting with the 
physician he charged him to carry back to his 
friends and family in Vienna a report of the siege 
and of his last days. 

"Tell my mother," he said, "that I have done my 
duty as a soldier and die a good Christian." 

At three o'clock, the time originally set for the 
execution, all was ready for the last march to the 
Cerro de la Campafia. The officer in command of 
the firing squad begged for forgiveness with tears in 
his eyes, but the Emperor calmed him, saying: "You 
are a soldier and must obey your orders." For a 
whole hour they waited for the summons, but none 
came. At last, about four o'clock, an officer arrived 
with the announcement that the execution had been 

[I2S] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

postponed till the nineteenth, the order having only 
just arrived by wire from Potosi an hour before. 

"This is hard," exclaimed Maximilian, "for I had 
already finished with the world." 

He availed himself of the delay, however, to dictate 
several farewell letters to his physician, among them 
one of thanks to his captive officers for their loy- 
alty and a touching appeal to his implacable enemy, 
Juarez, to prevent further bloodshed and let his death 
serve to promote the peace and welfare of his adopted 
country. Even now Baron von Magnus made one 
more effort to save the Emperor's life. On the 
eighteenth of June he sent a telegram to the Juarist 
minister, Lerdo de Tejada, offering to secure guaran- 
tees from all the leading sovereigns of Europe that 
none of the three prisoners should ever again set 
foot on Mexican soil or disturb the country in 
any way. But Juarez was inexorable. In reply to 
the Baron's despatch Minister Tejada stated that 
the President of the Republic was convinced that the 
cause of justice and the future peace of the country 
required the death of the prisoners. 

At last the fatal morning of Wednesday, June 
19, 1867, dawned. At five o'clock Father Soria 
came to celebrate mass, and at half past six the 

[126] 



DEATH OF MAXIMILIAN 

republican officer who had charge of the execution 
arrived. The three prisoners, dressed in black, 
entered carriages, each with his confessor, and were 
driven slowly to the place of execution, which was 
surrounded by a guard of four thousand men. On 
alighting, the Emperor embraced his two compan- 
ions, promising they should soon meet in another 
world, and then walked with dignity to the spot 
assigned at the foot of a hill in front of a shat- 
tered wall. Here he placed Miramon in the centre, 
saying, "A brave soldier is respected by his sover- 
eign; permit me to yield you the place of honor." 
Turning to Mejia, who had been unnerved by the 
sight of his wife running through the streets frantic 
with grief, he said: "General, what has not been 
rewarded on earth will certainly be in heaven." 
After distributing some gold pieces among the 
soldiers who were to do the firing, he said in a 
firm voice: "May my blood be the last shed in 
sacrifice for this country, and if more is required, 
let it be for the good of the nation, never by 
treason." 

The signal to fire was then given and the three 
fell simultaneously, Maximilian's body pierced by 
six bullets. The Mexican Empire had ceased to 

[127] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 



exist, and the noble Hapsburger had laid down his 
life for the welfare of an ungrateful people. 

General Escobedo had promised the Emperor^ 
before his death that his body should be delivered 
to Baron von Magnus to be taken back to Europe, 
yet in spite of this the ambassador had much trouble 
in obtaining possession of it. He was ill himself 
for a time with fever and had to be taken to Potosi. 
After many delays, however, the remains were 
finally given into his custody on November twelfth 
and, attended by Vice-admiral von Tegetthof, his twoi 
adjutants, and Doctor Basch, were taken to Vera 
Cruz with a cavalry escort of one hundred men, and 
placed on board the Novara, the same vessel which 
but three years before had conveyed Maximilian to^ 
his adopted country and to his doom. On the 
fifteenth of January, 1868, the Novara arrived att 
Trieste. A special train conveyed the coffin to 
Vienna, where, three days later, the body of Arch- 
duke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria was buried 
in the imperial vault in the Capuchin church. 



[128] 



Chapt. 



er XVIII 

Conclusion 



AS there may be some curiosity as to the later 
history of those who so shamefully betrayed 
the Emperor Maximilian, a word as to 
their fate may not be amiss. 

(His murderer, Juarez, proved himself unable to 
restore peace and tranquillity in the country. , He 
attained his ambition, however, when he was again 
made President, and this sufficed for him. He did 
not long survive the victim of his cruelty and revenge, 
dying, in Mexico, July i8, 1872.; His friend, Esco- 
bedo, received from General Mejia his only son as 
a legacy — one that was to prove a constant re- 
minder of his treachery. Twice the Juarist chief 
had owed his life to Mejia's generosity, yet he had 
not hesitated in turn to sign , the latter's death- 
warrant. 

Napoleon Third's subsequent career has passed 
into history. Losing battle after battle, and finally 

[129] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

his throne, in the war of 1870, he surrendered his 
sword to King William First of Prussia on the sec- 
ond of September of that year and was taken to 
Wilhelmshohe at Cassel as a prisoner of war, where 
he received very different treatment from that 
accorded the captive Emperor in Queretaro. After 
the conclusion of peace he retired to England, where 
he died at Chiselhurst. 

A yet more tragic fate befell Marshal Frangois 
Achille Bazaine. During the Franco-Prussian War 
he was besieged in Metz by Prince Friedrich Karl 
and forced to surrender with about one hundred and 
seventy thousand men. He was taken to Cassel, 
where he shared Napoleon's imprisonment. Accused 
by the French not only of cowardice and incapacity 
but also of treason, he was tried by court-martial 
and condemned to death. There being no blood- 
thirsty Juarez in France, however, the sentence was 
commuted to twenty years' imprisonment on the 
Island of Sainte Marguerite, near Cannes. He 
succeeded in escaping, with the help of his wife, and 
fled to Madrid, where he lived in poverty and obscu- 
rity and died in 1888, forgotten by the world and 
deserted by his wife, who returned to her native 
Mexico. 

[130] 



CONCLUSION 



Marquez escaped from the city of Mexico, hiding 
the first night, it is said, in a cofHn, and, continuing 
his flight at daylight toward the north, succeeded in 
reaching Texas. His subsequent history is unknown. 
After betraying the imperial army, Lopez prepared 
to enjoy the reward of his treason, but it was flatly 
refused him. Despised alike by friend and foe, and 
even by his own wife, he led a wretched existence, 
employing himself in vain attempts to vindicate his 
treachery. 



Doubtless Maximilian made many grave mis- 
takes, but from the foregoing pages it is plain that 
both he and his wife went to Mexico with the noblest 
aims and full of enthusiasm for the mission, to the 
difHcultles of which they finally succumbed. Yet 
the sacrifice was not wholly in vain, for the last 
struggle has served to embalm the memory of the 
Emperor Maximilian First of Mexico as a brave 
and chivalrous prince, while that of his enemies is 
held in merited contempt. 

On the spot where Maximilian and his two gen- 
erals so gallantly met their fate on the nineteenth of 
June, 1867, ^ memorial chapel has been erected, to 

[131] 



MAXIMILIAN IN MEXICO 

which throngs of Mexicans of all classes annually 
make a pilgrimage on the anniversary of that day, 
as Indeed they did previously, when only a simple 
gravestone marked the place of death. 



132] 



i^ppenDif 



The following Is a chronological statement of im- 
portant events connected with Maximilian: 

1832 Birth of MaxImiHan. 

1850-57 Marine service. 

1857 Marriage to Carlotta. 

1859 Retires to Miramar. 

1863 Mexican Embassy visits Miramar. 

1864 Coronation ceremony, 

1864 Arrival In Mexico. 

1865 Revolutionary uprisings. 

1866 The Empress goes to Europe. 

1867 Departure of the French. 

1867 Downfall of the Mexican Empire. 

1867 Execution of MaxImiHan. 



[133] 



SEP 25 19tl 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



Hr 25 19 



(I 



